logo
US to open World Cup qualifying this fall against Dominican Republic and Nicaragua; 3rd team TBA

US to open World Cup qualifying this fall against Dominican Republic and Nicaragua; 3rd team TBA

The U.S. will open qualifying for the 2027 Basketball World Cup in November against the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and a third nation that will be determined later this summer by the results of a pre-qualifier tournament.
The groups — and 68 of the 80 nations that are in the mix for the 31 open World Cup berths — were announced at Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday. Qatar is the only nation to have a World Cup spot assured; it has one because it will host the tournament in the summer of 2027.
The other 12 nations — eight from Europe, four from the Americas — that will play in qualifying will be determined this summer.
'The qualifiers are a special part of this journey," FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis said. "The World Cup is not a three-week event. The World Cup is in reality more than two years, as you can see. ... This is the key moment on the way to Doha.'
Germany is the defending champion, having topped Serbia for the gold medal at Manila in 2023. Canada beat the U.S. in that tournament for the bronze.
'When I started playing for the German national team in the late '90s, we would have never thought this was possible — that Germany will be World Cup champions," said German great Dirk Nowitzki, the longtime Dallas Mavericks star who brought the World Cup trophy onto the stage for the draw on Tuesday night. "I think that shows the growth of basketball in Germany and the rest of the world, in Europe, all over the place. It's been fun watching basketball grow the last two decades and more. And really, anything is possible in the world now in basketball.'
The Americans have won the tournament five times, but not since 2014 — after finishing a record-worst seventh at China in 2019 and missing the medal stand again at Manila in 2023. It has been a challenge for the U.S. to field its best possible team for the World Cups, given that most stars tend to prefer playing in the Olympics and many can't commit to a plan where they would be playing in a World Cup one summer and the Olympics the following year.
'I'm excited," USA Basketball great and 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinee Carmelo Anthony said. 'I think the world is excited. I think players are excited. I just think that intensity level, from what I've experienced in the previous World Cups, has shot up 10 times more than what it was before. I think the energy, I think that intentionality of the game, you see the passion of winning, not just from certain teams, you see it from all teams that are playing.'
Americas
Teams: 16 for 7 World Cup spots.
First-round qualifying dates: November 2025, February 2026, July 2026.
Second-round qualifying dates: August 2026, November 2026, February 2027.
Format: Four groups of four teams in the first round (six games per team). The top three teams from each group will move on to the second round.
Group A: United States, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, TBD.
Group B: Canada, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, TBD.
Group C: Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, TBD.
Group D: Argentina, Uruguay, Panama, TBD.
(There are four teams still yet to qualify, and those teams will be determined at a pair of pre-qualifying tournaments in August.)
Europe
Teams: 32 for 12 World Cup spots.
First-round qualifying dates: November 2025, February 2026, July 2026.
Second-round qualifying dates: August 2026, November 2026, February 2027.
Format: Eight groups of four teams in the first round (six games per team). The top three teams from each group will move on to the second round.
Group A: Spain, Georgia, TBD, TBD.
Group B: Greece, Montenegro, Portugal, TBD.
Group C: Serbia, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, TBD.
Group D: Britain, Italy, Iceland, Lithuania.
Group E: Germany, Israel, Cyprus, TBD.
Group F: Latvia, Poland, TBD, TBD.
Group G: France, Belgium, Finland, TBD.
Group H: Slovenia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Estonia.
(There are eight teams still yet to qualify, and those teams will be determined at pre-qualifying tournaments this summer.)
Asia
First-round qualifying dates: November 2025, February 2026, July 2026.
Second-round qualifying dates: August 2026, November 2026, February 2027.
Format: Four groups of four teams in the first round (six games per team). The top three teams from each group will move on to the second round.
Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Guam.
Group B: Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan.
Group C: Iran, Jordan, Syria, Iraq.
Group D: Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, India, Qatar.
Africa
Teams: 16 for 5 World Cup spots
First-round qualifying dates: November 2025, February 2026, July 2026.
Second-round qualifying dates: August 2026, February 2027.
Format: Four groups of four teams in the first round (six games per team). The top three teams from each group will move on to the second round.
Group A: Cameroon, South Sudan, Libya, Cape Verde.
Group B: Senegal, Congo, Madagascar, Ivory Coast.
Group C: Nigeria, Rwanda, Guinea, Tunisia.
Group D: Mali, Angola, Uganda, Egypt.
___

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Clarke gets positives before World Cup quest
Clarke gets positives before World Cup quest

Yahoo

time26 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Clarke gets positives before World Cup quest

With the mood around the national team a bit edgy, this game had the feel of a no-win situation for Steve Clarke and his players. Of course they had to win, but they needed a few more positives to come out of it than just that. Advertisement Clarke will be pleased to have got a few. Firstly, Che Adams scoring a treble was a big boost given no Scotland striker had scored for the national side in a year. George Hirst also grabbed an instinctive first international goal, capping a decent two games for the Ipswich striker on his first couple of starts. There was also the performance of 18-year-old Lennon Miller, who although the level of opponent was weaker than the Scottish Premiership sides he faces every week, impressed. He was crucial in Adams' second goal, with his pressure and then pass, teeing the striker up to give Scotland breathing space. Advertisement There were other flashes from him, too. Whether it was a couple of piercing passes into forward players, or one-two combinations out wide to get Scotland moving forward, he was in the thick of the action. There were also debuts for Andy Irving, Josh Doig, Connor Barron and Kieron Bowie. Clarke said these games would have no bearing on how they start the World Cup qualifiers, but the Scotland boss will be grateful to be heading for the holidays on a brighter note.

FIGC advance proposal to Ranieri, Friedkins must decide
FIGC advance proposal to Ranieri, Friedkins must decide

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

FIGC advance proposal to Ranieri, Friedkins must decide

The Italian Federation is planning to advance an official proposal to Claudio Ranieri. The FIGC – led by Gabriele Gravina – have identified in Ranieri the right successor to Luciano Spalletti who will be dismissed after tonight's match against Moldova. Advertisement According to Tuttomercatoweb, the offer will arrive in the next hours with Ranieri receiving the proposal to lead Italy until July 2026, so until the next World Cup. The proposal will also involve an invitation to work for the FIGC as a director after the World Cup, but that will be discussed further on eventually. In the meantime, the FIGC would be content with Ranieri handling both the role of technical commissioner of the national team and advisor to Roma. The final decision is now up to the Friedkins who can still veto this offer.

Lenglet terminates Barcelona contract to complete Atletico Madrid move
Lenglet terminates Barcelona contract to complete Atletico Madrid move

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Lenglet terminates Barcelona contract to complete Atletico Madrid move

Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of Clement Lenglet after he terminated his contract with Barcelona, as confirmed by both clubs. The 29-year-old joined the Catalan giants in 2018 from Sevilla, and he initially looked impressive. However, his form nosedived. Advertisement After loan spells at Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, Lenglet moved to Atletico on a season-long loan last summer. Following a tough start, the Frenchman gradually established himself as a regular for Diego Simeone's side, making 34 appearances in all competitions. The former Nancy star joins Atletico on a free transfer, penning a three-year deal until 2028 with a reduced salary. Barcelona will cover part of Lenglet's wages, as he had two years remaining on his previous contract. The Catalan giants will save approximately €16 million with his departure. Lenglet's resurgence also saw him return to the French national team this month after nearly a four-year absence. He started in the Nations League semi-final clash against Spain, which Les Bleus lost 5-4. Advertisement With Axel Witsel set to leave Wanda Metropolitano this summer upon the expiry of his contract, Atletico are looking to sign another top-class centre-back. Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero has been earmarked as their primary target. The 2022 World Cup winner is also keen to join Atletico, thanks to the Argentine contingent at the club, which includes Rodrigo De Paul, Julian Alvarez, Nahuel Molina and Giuliano Simeone. However, Spurs are demanding around €70m to part ways with Romero, whose contract runs until 2027.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store