DOHA (Qatar) - One of the most highly anticipated moments in the build up to the showpiece FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, the Qualifiers Draw will take place in Doha on May 13 and will shape what promises to be a thrilling ride on the 'Road to Qatar'. Destined to make history, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 will be the first ever edition to be held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
It will also be FIBA's biggest ever competition to be held in one city, Doha, as 32 teams engage in a relentless and exciting pursuit of basketball's ultimate prize - the coveted Naismith Trophy. The next step in this quest is to firstly navigate the Qualifiers, with teams from all FIBA regions now ready to discover their opponents as they strive to earn their place in the world's premier basketball tournament.
From November 2025 to March 2027, there will be six dedicated windows featuring 420 games across the globe, as 80 national teams battle to earn their tickets to Qatar. The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers Draw will be held at the renowned ALHAZM in Doha and will take place at 18:30 (local), 17:30 (CET). FIBA Global Ambassador, three-time Olympic champion, and NBA legend Carmelo Anthony will be on stage to perform the draw.
Led by FIBA President Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani and FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, the FIBA Central Board will attend the event, along with Qatar Basketball Federation and LOC Director General Mohammed Al-Meghaiseeb. Mutaz Essa Barshim, the four-time Olympic medallist in high jump, Yassin Mousa, GGC basketball legend and 3x3 world champion, as well as more than 60 representatives from National Federations around the globe will also be present in Doha for this prestigious event.
The draw will also be available to watch live on the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 and FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African, Americas, Asian and European Qualifiers websites and on the FIBA YouTube channel.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers Draw Principles will be disclosed on May 9.
African Qualifiers
16 teams will play across 5 windows, with 5 nations advancing to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
First Round
There will be four groups of 4 teams, with each nation playing each other twice across two tournaments, with 6 games in total.
The top three teams from each group will advance to the Second Round.
Second Round
The teams will be placed into two new groups with all results carried forward, meaning every single game counts.
Each nation will then play 6 games - competing against the teams they have not yet faced.
The 2 best placed teams in each group, along with the best third placed team will advance to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
Americas Qualifiers
16 teams will play across 6 windows, with 7 nations advancing to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
First Round
There will be four groups of 4 teams, with everyone playing each other home and away.
The top 3 teams from each group will advance to the Second Round.
Second Round
The teams will be placed into two new groups with all results carried forward, meaning every single game counts
Each nation will then compete against the teams not yet faced in their group on a home and away basis.
The 3 best placed teams in each group, along with the best placed fourth team will advance to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
Asian Qualifiers
16 teams will play across 6 windows, with 7 nations advancing to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
In addition, hosts Qatar, who are guaranteed a place at the World Cup, will still play in the First and Second Round of the Qualifiers.
First Round
There will be four groups of 4 teams, with everyone playing each other home and away.
The top 3 teams from each group (the best 2 placed teams in Qatar's group) will advance to the Second Round.
Second Round
The teams will be placed into two new groups with all results carried forward, meaning every single game counts.
Each nation will then compete against the teams not yet faced in their group on a home and away basis.
The 3 best placed teams in each group, plus the best fourth placed team in addition to Qatar, will advance to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
European Qualifiers
32 teams will play across 6 windows, with 12 nations advancing to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
First Round
There will be eight groups of 4 teams, with everyone playing each other home and away.
The top 3 teams from each group will advance to the Second Round.
Second Round
The teams will be placed into four new groups with all results carried forward, meaning every single game counts.
Each nation will then compete against teams not yet faced in their group on a home and away basis.
The 3 best placed teams in each group, will advance to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
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About FIBA FIBA (fiba.basketball) - the world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 212 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognized as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
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