MIAMI (United States) – The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers Window 4 begins in less than a week, so it’s time to take a look at how the 12 teams that advanced to the Second Round are shaping up ahead of the games on August 27 and 31. This ranking takes into account each team’s current form, roster composition and upcoming opponents. The order has nothing to do with the current FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike. Here is how the national teams in the Americas stack up heading into the fourth window, when the race for the seven spots at the World Cup begins to take shape.
1. CAN (-)
Record: 6-0
Canada have made the strongest impression throughout these Qualifiers. In Window 3, they cruised past Puerto Rico and Jamaica, both at home, winning each game by 25 or more points. Now they will travel to Panama before hosting Argentina, two difficult games for different reasons, in which they enter as favorites.
The roster will be missing several players, including NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dillon Brooks and Andrew Nembhard. However, the return of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and the presence on the preliminary roster of players such as Lu Dort, Kelly Olynyk, Shaedon Sharpe and the ever-reliable Kyle Wiltjer keep Canada as the team to beat.
2. USA (+1)
Record: 5-1 The USA move up one spot after closing the First Round with two road wins, although both were hard-fought victories against the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Their schedule for Window 4, however, looks favorable: they will travel to Chile before hosting Colombia. On paper, the two opponents are the least experienced teams in this Second Round. Mike James made a strong debut in the previous window and headlines the preliminary roster alongside Brandon Knight, while much of the group has NBA and G League experience. If they can make the most of their depth and talent, the USA should be in position to pick up two wins and continue their strong push toward Doha.
3. BRA (-1)
Record: 6-0 Brazil is the other undefeated team heading into the Second Round. Their six wins put them among the favorites, although they now face a much tougher challenge. After comfortably beating Venezuela and Colombia on the road in the First Round, they will face the Dominican Republic and Mexico, two teams that can push them much harder. The home game against the Dominican Republic will be revealing. The FIBA AmeriCup 2025 champions have many of their key players on the preliminary roster, including Yago Santos, Bruno Caboclo, Raul Neto, Leo Meindl and Georginho De Paula. After using the First Round to give several young players valuable minutes, Brazil appears ready to show their full strength in this new stage.
4. URU (-)
Record: 5-1 Uruguay was one of the biggest surprises of the First Round and now faces the challenge of proving that the team’s strong performance was no fluke. They lost at home to Argentina but bounced back with a convincing win over Cuba. This time, they will host the Bahamas before traveling to Puerto Rico, two Caribbean opponents that have historically caused them problems with their speed and athleticism. La Celeste prepared for these games well in advance and even traveled to China to play preparation games. Their preliminary roster also features Joaquin Rodriguez (the First Round MVP) and Bruno Fitipaldo, two of their key players. Maintaining the level they have shown so far will be the biggest challenge.
5. DOM (+1)
Record: 4-2 The Dominican Republic finished the First Round feeling that they could have achieved more. They came close to beating the USA at home, but let a significant second-half lead slip away. The team then took care of business against Nicaragua, beating them by 20 points. Now they will have an opportunity to measure their true potential against Brazil and Chile. The game against Brazil will be one of the highlights of Window 4 and also an opportunity to seek revenge for their loss in the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA AmeriCup 2025. Andres Feliz, Jean Montero, Jassel Pérez and Chris Duarte are all included on the preliminary roster, giving the team an extremely talented backcourt. The potential return of David Jones would provide another major boost. The second game at home against Chile looks like an opportunity to add another win.
6. ARG (-1)
Record: 5-1 Argentina enters with five wins and just one loss after avenging their defeat to Uruguay on the road before comfortably beating Panama. However, the start of the Second Round presents a considerable challenge: they will host Puerto Rico before traveling to Canada. Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck and Leandro Bolmaro played key roles in the last window and will once again headline a roster that also includes Gonzalo Corbalan, Nicolas Brussino, Juan Fernandez and Francisco Caffaro. Argentina has enough talent to compete against anyone, but the schedule will demand their best from the very beginning.
7. MEX (-)
Record: 3-3 Mexico enters the Second Round with a balanced record and an opportunity to turn home-court advantage into a decisive factor. In the previous window, they comfortably defeated Nicaragua before falling by just one point, 94-93, to the USA. They will play both games at home this time, first against Colombia and then against Brazil.
The matchup against Colombia appears to be a good opportunity to pick up a win, but Brazil’s visit will significantly raise the level of difficulty. With a core that has remained together for several windows and features Pako Cruz and Yahir Bonilla as the main leaders— Mexico needs to make the most of the support of their home fans to become a serious contender for one of the World Cup spots.
8. PUR (-)
Record: 2-4 Puerto Rico had to fight for a place in the Second Round in the final window and delivered when it mattered most. After suffering a heavy loss to Canada, they defeated the Bahamas 115-92 on the road in a game they needed to win to stay alive. They now face two difficult tests, both on the road, against Argentina and Uruguay. The potential presence of Jose Alvarado, who missed the previous window, could significantly change the outlook. The NBA champion with the New York Knicks brings intensity, toughness and defensive ability, along with an offensive threat that could prove decisive in two games expected to be close matchup.
9. BAH (-)
Record: 2-4 The Bahamas earned their ticket to the Second Round with a dominant 49-point win over Jamaica, but then let a good opportunity slip away with a home loss to Puerto Rico. They now need to raise their level, particularly because they will open the window on the road against Uruguay before returning home to face Panama.
They certainly have no shortage of individual talent. VJ Edgecombe Jr., Buddy Hield and Deandre Ayton are once again on the preliminary roster, along with Eric Gordon, Kai Jones and Franco Miller. If the Bahamas can bring together their top players and impose their up-tempo style, they have the tools to trouble anyone.
10. PAN (-)
Record: 2-4 Panama made the most of the last window to get the result they needed and advance to the Second Round. After losing to Argentina at home, they dominated Cuba in the head-to-head battle for qualification and earned the right to keep dreaming of a ticket to Doha. The challenge will now be much greater. They will first host Canada, the most dominant team in the competition, before traveling to the Bahamas. Panama will have to find answers against opponents with greater depth and talent, although home-court advantage against Canada could provide an additional boost.
11. CHI (-)
Record: 2-4 Chile produced one of the biggest stories of the First Round by winning two consecutive road games and qualifying for the Second Round for the first time. They first defeated Colombia with a last-second basket before pulling off another upset against Venezuela to complete their historic qualification. Now they face two of the strongest teams in this stage: they will travel to the USA before hosting the Dominican Republic. Sebastian Carrasco and Felipe Haase will once again be key pieces for a team that enters without the pressure of being a favorite, but with the belief that they can continue to surprise.
12. COL (-)
Record: 3-3 Colombia advanced to the Second Round after a previous window in which they suffered losses to Chile and Brazil, but managed to defeat Venezuela in the postponed Window 1 game. They now face a particularly difficult situation: both of their games will be on the road, against Mexico and the USA. The Colombians will once again rely on key players such as Braian Angola, Juan Tello, Hansel Atencia and Jaime Echenique, but the challenge will be enormous. In addition to facing two teams that enter as favorites on paper, Colombia will have to do so away from home following the recent earthquakes that affected the country. Pulling off an upset will require an almost flawless performance.
FIBA