MIAMI (United States) – With the second window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers set to tip off from February 26 to March 2, national teams across the region are back in preparation mode. As attention turns toward the next round of games, it’s a good time to look back at how the road to Qatar began. The first window, played in November and December of 2025, delivered thrilling games, top performances and historic statistical feats that still resonate. Reliving this is the perfect prelude to what lies ahead. Here’s a look at the best of Window 1:
The team
The United States, Canada, Jamaica, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Colombia (with one game fewer) all emerged undefeated from the opening window. However, from a statistical standpoint, the U.S. squad was the most dominant team on the floor.
Beyond posting a 2–0 record to lead Group A, the team coached by Stephen Silas led the competition in points per game (112.5), two-point field goal percentage (68.4 percent), and blocks (6.5), while committing the fewest turnovers (7.5). The team also ranked second in overall field goal percentage (52.0 percent) and assists (30.5).
The player
Jamaica center Kofi Cockburn was instrumental in his team’s debut in the World Cup Qualifiers, leading them to two road victories against Puerto Rico, one of the region’s most established teams.
The 26-year-old big man averaged a double-double of 20.5 points and 13.5 rebounds across the two games, along with 3.0 assists. His efficiency rating of 29.5 was the highest of the opening window. Fans also recognized his impact by voting him the top player of Window 1 as shown below:
The individual performance
In Uruguay’s win over Panama on November 30, Joaquín Rodríguez delivered one of the most efficient performances in the history of the Americas Qualifiers. The Zaragoza guard finished with 29 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field, including 5-of-11 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. He also added 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals for an efficiency rating of 35— the third-highest ever in the competition.
The biggest surprise
Jamaica stunned the competition with two back-to-back victories over Puerto Rico. Playing in the World Cup Qualifiers for the first time, Jamaica was forced to play its designated home game on Puerto Rican soil due to severe hurricane damage back home.
Players and staff arrived having lost personal belongings and with family members in vulnerable situations, yet still took the court and showed resilience to defeat one of Group B’s favorites. The challenge now will be to sustain that level and prove their opening window was no fluke.
The shot
The most dramatic moment came courtesy of Uruguay power forward Martín Rojas, who scored a spectacular layup at the buzzer to complete a 12-point comeback and give his team a home win over Panama. With that basket, Uruguay preserved its unbeaten record and moved into a tie for the top spot in Group D.
The records
As many as four new Americas Qualifiers records were set during the November and December games of last year.
On November 28, the Dominican Republic made 27 free throws against Mexico, breaking the previous record of 25, achieved five times.
On that same day, the United States recorded 10 blocks against Nicaragua, surpassing the previous mark of nine set by the Bahamas against the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2017.
On December 1, Nicaragua’s Norchad Omier grabbed 20 rebounds against the United States, eclipsing the previous record of 19 held by Cuba’s Javier Justiz and Canada’s Kelly Olynyk.
In that same game, the United States scored 123 points against Nicaragua, topping the previous record of 119 set by Brazil against Colombia in 2022.
FIBA