MIES (Switzerland) - The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers' opening salvo is fast approaching, and that means another opportunity to assess where the teams stand entering the much anticipated games.
And so, here's the first edition of our Power Rankings presented by SMART, in which we'll try to take a closer look at the 16 participating squads. Where does your bet stack up? Read more below and see if you agree.
#16 India
There aren't many changes with India roster-wise as they are coming in with the similar core that played in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, bannered by Pranav Prince, Harsh Dagar, and Arvind Krishnan, to name some.
They will have a bit of a boost, with a part of that core returning from an international stint playing professionally in Mongolia. Fans will get to see how that impacts the team.
It could be recalled that the team from South Asia finished second to the last in Jeddah with a 0-3 win-loss record, and so it would be interesting to see how much they have learned from that stint this Window 1. They will face Saudi Arabia in both games this window.
#15 Iraq
Like the aforementioned team, Iraq also went winless in the last Asia Cup. But they're definitely keen on competing better in the World Cup Qualifiers now that familiar names are now back in their preliminary roster.
Defensive guard Karrar Hamzah is now back in the list of names after missing the trip to Saudi Arabia, reuniting with some of his fellow key cogs such as star big man Ihab Al-Zuhairi, Thulfiqar Hammooodi, and Ali Ismael.
The window ahead could also see the national team debut of Ramon Galloway, who turned lots of heads for his fine play as one of Al Difaa Al Jawi SC's reinforcements during last season's FIBA WASL-West Asia League.
Iraq will be facing a tough opponent on paper in Iran - but one they are familiar with pulling upsets on, doing so back in 2017.
#14 Syria
Syria finished dead-last in the 2025 Asia Cup but it's expected to be the same faces you'd see that contributed to their success during the previous Asia Cup Qualifiers, with Nadim Issa finally returning to action.
He will be rejoining those such as Mohammad Bilal Atli, CJ Maran, and Omar Cheikh Ali, with the addition of young players like Maiar Albalbisi who impressed during his WASL-West Asia debut with Al Wahda SC recently.
Syria will be playing against Jordan in both games this window.
#13 Qatar
Qatar are already qualified as World Cup hosts but plenty of fans are still curious as to how the team will fare throughout Asian Qualifiers, as it could be a window to see where they are entering 2027.
Headed by Tyler Harris and Mike Lewis, the Qataris are bound for a tough Window 1 ahead as they will be taking on one of the continent's perennial contenders in Lebanon twice - first in Doha, and then in Beirut.
#12 Guam
A quick look at their preliminary roster would suggest that Guam are indeed here not just to gain experience but to compete the best they could in their first-ever foray into the World Cup Qualifiers. Yes, first-ever.
Stars like Jericho Cruz and Jonathan Galloway leading the way once more along with a reliable veteran big men Tai Wesley back in the pool of Coach EJ Calvo for Window 1. They've also listed some interested names to keep an eye on as well - so make sure you do exactly just that.
Can they give the Philippines a run for their money in their meetings this window? They're expecting it to be the biggest basketballl game in Guam, so expect big things.
#11 Saudi Arabia
There's nowhere to go but up, as the saying goes, and Saudi Arabia are looking to live with that mantra as they're coming into the World Cup Qualifiers with the same pieces that made their Asia Cup hosting memorable.
Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman headlines the pool together with Mo Alsuwailem, Khalid Abdel-Gabar, and the Almarwani brothers. And together, they're looking to sweep India come Window 1 for a strong start.
#10 Jordan
From the looks of it, Jordan are keen on developing the future under the tutelage of head coach Roy Rana. This, as the Falcons are entering Window 1 with an lineup featuring some of their top youngsters.
In their pool are 21-and-under talents like Abdullah Olajuwon, Rawhi Kilani, and Michel Naffa, and they won't be running short of brains to pick as they have vets such as Freddy Ibrahim and Ahmad Al Dwairi. The latter should be pumped up to make a return to play for the Golden Falcons once again.
#9 Japan
Yuta Watanabe is back for another tour of duty as team caption but it could still be a challenging window ahead for Japan as they will continue to miss the services of star guard Yuki Kawamura, who's still fighting for a spot in the NBA.
The rising basketball country was already without their best player in the last Asia Cup and that leaves some asking how this team would fare against a Chinese Taipei side that's currently in a renaissance of sorts.
We have to win. Or else, we won't even make it to the World Cup to begin with.
#8 Philippines
They're still without Kai Sotto but it could be remembered that the Philippines managed to overcome a 0-2 start in the 2025 Asia Cup and made it all the way to the Quarter-Finals - their first in eight years.
The star big man is on the mend due to an ACL injury and it remains to be seen how Gilas would react in another FIBA contest without him, although there's some promise given the arrival of a fresher talent.
Quentin Millora-Brown has been added to the roster and is expected to provide additional size upfront. Juan Gomez de Liano is also potentially making a return as Gilas has decided to expand its talent pool.
#7 Korea
Except for some injured replacements, Korea are bringing in the core of their 2025 Asia Cup team although what some are wondering about is how this team would compete in their first World Cup Qualifiers without Ra Guna.
The center served as their pillar for years and even set plenty of records, but the traditional continental contenders will have to soldier on without him - and without somebody ready to take his place yet.
Korea will be loaded on the wing, however, as they are expected to see one of their best talent in years, Lee Hyunjung, back in action once again - and that will be much needed going against China in back-to-back games.
#6 Lebanon
Wael Arakji is expected to see action for Lebanon after missing the Jeddah showpiece and his return - along with some of his national team brothers - should make it a Window 1 to look forward to especially among their fans.
However, their upcoming games against Qatar will be closely monitored solely because it will be their first outings under new mentor Ahmad Farran, who's taken over the head coaching reins from Miodrag Perisic.
Will it be a smooth transition, or will there be growing pains?
#5 Chinese Taipei
Ray Chen and some of the pieces that pushed Chinese Taipei to the 2025 Asia Cup Quarter-Finals are running it back although the Hinton brothers won't be around.
But here's the thing. The East Asian side are welcoming Joe Lin in the talent pool, and his arrival, without any shadow of a doubt, is a solid boost for the program and their bid of upending the Japanese in the upcoming window.
It's a dream come true for Lin - and definitely for his recently retired brother, no question - and the entire crew are surely hoping to make it one to cherish. Fun times ahead for Chinese Taipei, it seems?
#4 New Zealand
It's basically the same Tall Blacks team that reached the Semi-Finals of the last Asia Cup that's competing in Window 1 and they're among the teams to watch out for, given the heartbreak they suffered in Jeddah.
From winning the bronze in 2022, they went home without a medal this year after bowing to Iran in the Third-Place Game. Revenge tour incoming from the Oceania powerhouse? Well, Australia should be ready for that - especially considering how they've been upset by the Tall Blacks in a Qualifiers setting before in the Asia CUp 2022 Qualifiers.
#3 China
The recent Asia Cup marked the first time in 10 years that China took home a medal when they settled for silver in Saudi Arabia, and some members of the squad that made it possible will do an encore this Window 1.
Guys like Cheng Shuaipeng and Hu Mingxuan, to name a few, are in the 19-man training camp pool of Coach Guo Shiqiang. But, they will be missing Wang Junjie who was a stud and was named to the All-Star Five.
Wang, in case you needed some refresher, played a crucial role in bringing Team Dragon back to the Asia Cup Final with his silky smooth offense, highlighted by what's become his signature move - a post fadeaway.
But the talent level is still sky high whether it's the other All-Star Five member Hu Jinqiu or other rising talents like Zeng Fanbo and Yu Jiahao.
That Zhou Qi guy is pretty nice too, we've heard.
#2 Iran
This is where it gets scary for Group C. Iran are expected to keep the team that won the bronze in the recent Asia Cup, and called some of their most renowned national team vanguards back in action as well.
Behnam Yakhchali, who some might still consider the best Iranian player at the moment, is expected to be with Team Melli once more, and his return only tells us how serious the Iranians are in this opening window.
It always helps with rising star - no just in Iran, but in Asian basketball - Mohammad Amini back int he mix, too.
#1 Australia
Need we say more? The Boomers are coming as the defending three-time Asia Cup champions, and they're sending a team filled with players that helped the esteemed program achieve such a remarkable feat.
2025 Asia Cup TISSOT MVP Jaylin Galloway leads the cast together with vets Nick Kay and Jack White, although it's also a good mix of experience and youth with guys like Davo Hickey, Elijah Pepper, and Josh Bannan included.
Before we forget, Australia won 11 of their 12 games in the last Asian Qualifiers, and they're surely looking to better that record in the upcoming cycle. Can they do it, or will the other teams be able to change that?
Note: The Power Rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.
FIBA