MIES (Switzerland) - Another window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers has come to a close and that only means one thing: we're once again updating our Power Rankings, presented by SMART.
We've had three editions of this already and each of them became highly talked about all across social media. Now with Vol. 4, there'd be reactions, for sure, given the major changes in the list. Read further below.
And see if you agree.
16. Guam ⬇️2️⃣
Record: 0-4 Schedule in July: @ Australia, @ New Zealand
Guam remained winless across two windows after falling short against Australia and New Zealand but their recent outings could be a glimpse of their future. They paraded new guy BJ Freeman and the 23-year-old guard didn't disappoint, as he averaged 18.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.5 steals per game.
No doubt that he's going to be someone to watch out for in the next competitions ahead.
15. India ⬆️1️⃣
Record: 0-3 Schedule in July: @ Lebanon, vs Qatar, vs Lebanon
India suffered their worst loss of the World Cup 2027 Qualifiers so far, yes, but we have to give credit to the way they fought against a surging Qatar. While the final score wasn't that ideal, we have to take a look at the fight they showed especially in the first half, where they rallied back from down double digits to take the 45-43 lead entering the break. It's just that they couldn't find that finishing kick yet, but trust us when we say that they'd be feared once they learn how to get to that level.
They'll have to embrace some changes heading into the future, transitioning from having coach Scott Flemming at the helm, but there's plenty of upside for this youth-laden group.
14. Iraq ⬇️1️⃣
Record: 0-3 Schedule in July: vs Jordan, @ Syria, @ Jordan
The injury bug just can't seem to leave Iraq. After losing Abdullah Alibraheemi versus Iran back in Window 1, Iraq had to see Ramon Galloway leave during the second quarter of their match against Syria. And similar to what happened during their meeting between Team Melli, the Iraqis gradually lost control and eventually lost. Still, the fight they've been showing amid adversity has given the impression that they can finally break through sooner - granted also that they come into a window with a fully healthy lineup.
13. Saudi Arabia ⬇️5️⃣
Record: 2-1 Schedule in July: @ Qatar, vs Lebanon, vs Qatar
Saudi Arabia came into Window 2 without two of their best players in Mo Alsuwailem and Mohammed Almarwani. Although they managed to put up a fight early against Lebanon, the crew couldn't sustain as much without the big men that could have provided the needed stability amid the Cedars' second-half barrage.
The next window will be a tough one as well, as they are set to rematch against Lebanon and play two games against Qatar.
Still, it's only their first loss and they will be facing Lebanon again which could be an opportunity for some payback - and potentially make the race in Group D even more intense (we'll discuss that in a bit).
12. Syria ⬆️3️⃣
Record: 1-2 Schedule in July: @ Iran, vs Iraq, vs Iran
Syria finally barged into the win column after pulling off a 78-70 decision against Iraq, with Donte McGill coming through with huge plays down the stretch. Thanks to the star guard's all-around showing highlighted by 34 big points, the crew has snapped a five-game losing skid in the World Cup Qualifiers, giving the West Asian side renewed confidence in the games to come as they've been hoping to go deeper in this competition.
11. Korea ⬇️9️⃣
Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: vs Chinese Taipei, vs Japan
What a tough window for Korea.
After sweeping China back in Window 1, the team lost both of its outings this window - first against Japan in Okinawa, and then to Chinese Taipei in New Taipei City which has then created quite a battle between the contenders in Group B. But we'd like to believe that this is just part of the growing pains the Koreans have to endure for now, since they're under new leadership following the appointment of Latvian mentor Nikolajs Mazurs as their new head coach. It would be interesting to see how Lee Hyunjung - who did much of the lifting again - and the rest of the squad would respond come the third window.
One (very) bright spot from this window: Daniel Edi seems to have a very bright future ahead of him with the national team.
10. Iran ⬇️4️⃣
Record: 2-1 Schedule in July: vs Syria, @ Jordan, @ Syria
It's not easy to sustain momentum without two marquee names and that's what happened to Iran. Having missed the services of Behnam Yakhchali and Mohammad Amini, Team Melli bowed to Jordan and absorbed their first loss after going 2-0 in Window 1. But there's hardly any reason to panic, knowing how good they could be with a complete lineup and with the rising youngsters in their ranks.
They're multiple-time Asia Cup champions for a reason.
9. Philippines ⬇️6️⃣
Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: @ New Zealand, @ Australia
The Philippines failed to protect homecourt not once but twice after falling to the Tall Blacks and the Boomers, but not before putting up a gallant stand against both of their their long-time tormentors.
Sure, those losses eclipsed their perfect Window 1 but looking at the bright side, Gilas fought tooth and nail for a total of six quarters against regional powerhouses, making their rematches in Window 3 something to look forward to.
Add to that the return of Juan Gomez de Liano plus the continued brilliance of the Philippines' frontcourt of the future in AJ Edu and Quentin Millora-Brown. Definitely lots of reasons to be excited for Coach Tim Cone and his unit, still.
8. Chinese Taipei ⬆️4️⃣
Record: 1-3 Schedule in July: @ Korea, @ China
After that forgettable Window 1, Chinese Taipei realigned themselves and finally scored win no. 1 by taking down an previously unbeaten Korea, which led to a tough campaign for the latter. They could've actually gone 2-0 when they pushed China to the ropes in their clash at the Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines but Team Dragon's experience prevailed in the end.
As tough as that defeat was, none other than head coach Gianluca Tucci lauded his players' efforts for still playing one of their best outings as whole, for they managed to threaten a traditional powerhouse in China.
I'm really proud of my players, my team ... We need to consider this as one of our best games despite the result.
Now at 1-3, there's nowhere to go but up for this revitalized Chinese Taipei squad.
7. Japan ⬇️3️⃣
Record: 3-1 Schedule in July: @ China, @ Korea
Japan had themselves a rough start into Window 2 when they blew a 15-point lead and eventually bowed to China, which proved to be the start of their rivals' resurgence in the ongoing World Cup Qualifiers. But being a team that's been into basketball's biggest of stages, the squad quickly bounced back by venting their ire on Korea, giving as well Dai Oketani his first win as the program's new head coach.
More importantly, they remained on top of Group B with a 3-1 record and it is going to be intriguing how Japan will do in the next window now that Oketani, himself a champion coach in the pro scene domestically, has two FIBA games under his belt.
6. Lebanon ⬆️4️⃣
Record: 2-1 Schedule in July: vs Indi, @ Saudi Arabi, @ India
That loss to Qatar last window sure stung Lebanon so hard as they issued a statement by dealing Saud Arabia a harsh beating at home. In doing so, the Cedars also showed how much they've learned from their first outings with Coach Ahmad Farran, from better fluidity on offense to more teeth on defense.
Also, they have unleashed Jihad El Khatib, who could very well be a huge part of the Lebanese men's team's future after the second-generation hooper offered glimpses of his tremendous upside.
I chose to play for the Lebanese national team two years ago, so I can put my name up in this country and lift up all the people in Lebanon as much as I can for the future.
5. Qatar ↔️
Record: 2-1 Schedule in July: vs Saudi Arabia, vs India @ Saudi Arabia
For the first time in the World Cup Qualifiers, Qatar posted back-to-back wins following that masterful showing versus India, which only shows how much the 2027 World Cup hosts have been progressing toward the prestigious continental showpiece that's about 17 months from now.
They have also created an interesting battle ahead in Group D with that big win as three teams are now tied at 2-1, with the others being Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. How would Window 3 unfold given this development?
4. Jordan ⬆️3️⃣
Record: 3-0 Schedule in July: @ Iraq, vs Iran, vs Iraq
Of all the 16 teams competing in the Asian Qualifiers, only two have remained unbeaten thus far, with Jordan being one of them. They collected their third win in as many outings at Iran's expense, which without a doubt is a significant step toward the kind of team Coach Roy Rana has been trying to build since his arrival last year, as they managed to get one against a continental contender - the 2025 Asia Cup bronze medalists, by the way.
3. New Zealand ⬆️6️⃣
Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: vs Philippines, vs Guam
It was a complete turnaround for New Zealand after suffering heartbreaking losses to Australia last window. Max Darling & Co. first escaped the Philippines at the latter's home turf, and then came through with a dominant showing in Mangilao Village to keep Guam winless, with Jack Andrew starring.
Now toting a 2-2 record, they're going to face both of those teams in the third window at home.
2. China ⬆️9️⃣
Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: vs Japan, vs Chinese Taipei
Window 2 wasn't just about bouncing back for China. It also proved to be an avenue to serve a reminder to the rest of the field that their resurgence won't stop just because of those two losses to Korea in Window 1.
China pulled off come-from-behind victories one after the other - first from 15 down versus Japan, and then against Chinese Taipei in which they overhauled an 11-point deficit. Progress isn't linear, as some would say, and the wards of Coach Guo Shiqiang proved as much with a major uptick in their performances.
And things should only get better for the 2025 Asia Cup runners-up from this point onward as they play their Window 3 games at home.
1. Australia ↔️
Record: 4-0 Schedule in July: vs Guam, vs Philippines
There should be no question who the no. 1 team is again in the SMART Power Rankings.
The Boomers have now gone undefeated in Group A, effectively extending their winning streak in the World Cup Qualifiers to 15 games. It's really been a long while since the defending three-time Asia Cup champions lost in this competition and it doesn't look like they have no intentions of stopping, even though they became the first team to reach the Second Round. It's always 'gold vibes only' for the hoopers from Down Under and don't expect that to change any time soon.
FIBA