MIES (Switzerland) - From dominant sweeps to unexpected results, Window 1 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers offered no shortage of compelling matches that had fans talking about online.
From hosts Qatar stunning Lebanon, to Korea beating China twice, just to name a few, the opening window came through with a lot of riveting storylines that makes the upcoming window all the more exciting.
And so, let's take a look at some of the matches to watch out for in Window 2. From rivalries as old as time to budding ones, to up-and-coming squads looking to prove their worth, we got you covered - as always.
Japan versus China
Thursday, February 26 Okinawa Arena, Japan Local Time: 19:05 PM (GMT+9)
Much of the focus would surely be on Team Dragon, as many are curious to see how they'd pick themselves up after getting beaten by the Koreans in back-to-back fashion in easily one of Window 1's biggest stories.
China, though, will have to try doing so against another long-time foe in Japan, who are coming off a dominant Window 1 campaign that saw the previous World Cup hosts sweep Chinese Taipei to co-lead Group B.
There's intrigue surrounding the Japanese, too, as they will be coming into Window 2 with a new head coach in Dai Oketani after the program parted ways with Tom Hovasse, who led the country to the 2024 Olympics.
It's going to be the two teams' first meeting since the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers back in February of last year at the Shenzhen Sports Center, which saw the Chinese come out on top convincingly, 100-58.
Philippines versus New Zealand
Thursday, February 26 Mall of Asia Arena, Philippines Local Time: 19:30 PM (GMT+8)
The Philippines are looking to remain unbeaten after crushing Guam in the opening window but that could be easier said than done, as they will be facing two Oceania powerhouses beginning with New Zealand.
Game is set at the Mall of Asia Arena and Gilas would definitely be banking on homecourt advantage, as it was in this very venue where they finally beat the Tall Blacks - a 93-89 result in the recent Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Since then, however, the Filipino dribblers haven't been able to repeat. Their next two meetings went in favor of New Zealand, the most recent of which a 94-86 rout during the 2025 Asia Cup Group Phase in Jeddah.
At present, the Kiwis have won 6 of their 7 matches, and they're keen on adding on to it in search for their first win of the ongoing World Cup Qualifiers after losing to Davo Hickey and Australia twice in Window 1.
Iran versus Jordan
Friday, February 28 Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex, Lebanon Local Time: 18:00 PM (GMT+2)
Group C leadership will be up for grabs as Iran and Jordan duke it out on neutral grounds at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex in a battle between teams that aced their respective assignments back in Window 1.
Both Team Melli and the Falcons finished the window at 2-0 after beating Iraq and Syria, respectively, and soon it will be their turn to face one another in their first meeting since the 2022 Asia Cup Quarter-Finals.
Jordan won that particular match, 91-76, which also grew their head-to-head lead at 6-2. And needless to say, they would want to lean on history in an attempt to extend their unbeaten winning streak to three.
Lebanon versus Saudi Arabia
Friday, February 27 Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex, Lebanon Local Time: 21:00 (GMT+2)
How would Lebanon respond? That, for sure, is the question many are asking after the Cedars absorbed a shock loss at the hands of 2027 World Cup hosts Qatar to close out their Window 1 campaign.
After barely escaping in their first encounter in Doha, the charges of Coach Ahmad Farran weren't that lucky anymore in their rematch in Zouk Mikael as the Qataris showed better poise to hack out the 86-83 win.
It was the Lebanese' first loss to Qatar since 2015 and while it may take a while for them to earn payback, whct they could do now is to channel their frustrations this Window 2 - but that's a challenge per se, too.
Because they will be hosting a Saudi Arabia team that's actually leading Group D with a clean 2-0 slate, which the 2025 Asia Cup hosts built following easy victories against India back in the first window.
Japan versus Korea
Sunday, March 1 Okinawa Arena, Japan Local Time: 14:00 PM (GMT+9)
Oketani will get himself a baptism of fire in the window ahead as he will have to deal with two of Japan's oldest basketball rivals. After China, they will be taking on Korea in a Sunday special at the Okinawa Arena.
It's actually going to be their first meeting in nearly a decade, or since the Qualification to Quarter-Finals of the 2017 Asia Cup which saw the Koreans roll to an 81-68 win to eventually finish with a bronze medal.
And their rematch this time could be as significant as vying for the solo lead in Group B - granted of course that they take care of their respective businesses prior, with Korea facing the winless Chinese Taipei first.
Chinese Taipei versus China
Sunday, March 1 Mall of Asia Arena, Philippines Local Time: 16:00 PM (GMT+8)
Another team which some are keeping an eye on are Chinese Taipei after getting swept by Japan in the first window, particularly on their capability to find redemption as they take on their East Asia foes.
After the Koreans, up next for Ray Chen & Co. would be Team China, making their first meeting since the 2022 Asia Cup Group Phase.
Philippines versus Australia
Sunday, March 1 Mall of Asia Arena, Philippines Local Time: 19:30 PM (GMT+8)
The game between Gilas and the Boomers is another awaited showdown, given the kind of history that these two teams have written between themselves.
While the Aussies are hoping to stay unbeaten, Team Philippines are eyeing revenge in their duel ahead after suffering a harsh 84-60 beatdown in the 2025 Asia Cup Quarter-Finals that sent them packing.
Will homecourt advantage work this time? That we have to see.
Qatar versus Saudi Arabia
Tuesday, March 2 Lusail Multipurpose Hall, Qatar Local Date: 22:00 PM (GMT+3)
After beating Lebanon, Qatar would want to keep on proving that they're for real and there's no better way to do so than trying to beat another solid team in Saudi Arabia, whom they will be hosting on March 2.
As mentioned above, the Saudis are currently leading Group D and the competitive squad they have should serve as a solid test for a team that's hoping to become the best it could be heading into the World Cup proper.
But an added motivation for Qatar, no doubt, is the harrowing fact that they have yet to beat Saudi Arabia in major FIBA competitions. These two have already met thrice in the past, and all that went in favor of Saudi Arabia.
From ending a lengthy losing skid against the Cedars, can they finally break through versus Saudi?
FIBA