MIES (Switzerland) - Only a dozen competitors remain in the race to Qatar after the First Round of what has been an action-packed FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers came to a close.
And without a shadow of a doubt, the excitement has gone through the roof for the Second Round that begins this August, with many waiting to see which teams would make it to the sport's biggest spectacle next year.
But before all of that, here's the latest edition of our traditional Power Rankings presented by SMART, in which we assess where the 12 qualified teams are in form-wise heading into the next phase after Window 3.
Hint: Major changes ahead. Keep reading. And see if you agree.
12. Syria ⬇️1️⃣
Record: 2-4
Never mind losing to Iran twice in the recent window. Syria still accomplished their goal of advancing to the Second Round after repeating against Iraq by way of a 91-81 result last July 2 in Amman, Jordan. With Donte McGill showing the way once more while receiving solid support from guys like debutant Yousef Abdullah and the do-it-all Bilal Atli, the team from West Asia have made their way back to the next stage for only the second time, and are definitely hoping to do far better in an attempt to bring the country to the World Cup for the first time ever.
11. Saudi Arabia ⬆️2️⃣
Record: 3-3
Saudi Arabia could've been higher in this list but that 76-73 defeat to Qatar in Jeddah hurt their chances. Not only did they go 1-2 in the whole window but it was also their first loss to the 2027 World Cup hosts after winning their first four games in major FIBA competitions. Still, they're through to the Second Round, and we cannot discount the fact that they're still missing one of their best players in Mohammed Almarwani as the veteran big man continues to recover from an ACL injury he suffered earlier this year. It would be interesting to see how the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup hosts could up the ante come the Second Round.
10. Philippines ↔️
Record: 2-4
Among the teams entering the Second Round, the Philippines have the worst form as they're in the midst of a four-game losing skid. But if it's any indication that better days lie ahead for Gilas, it would be their two close bouts against the Tall Blacks, the most recent of which a 106-102 double-overtime defeat in Auckland that's widely perceived as an all-time classic. Plus, we haven't seen this team unleash its best possible lineup that would feature Kai Sotto, and it would surely be great if they can bring him back to bolster their bid of returning to the World Cup - especially now that they have young pros that could become faces of the men's program very soon.
9. Korea ⬆️3️⃣
Record: 3-3
It couldn't get any more dramatic for Korea. From a promising 2-0 start in which they swept China in Window 1, the East Asian contenders got into a harrowing three-game skid - including two losses to Chinese Taipei - that put them in a difficult situation as far as qualifying for the Second Round is concerned. But with their World Cup hopes on the line, the Koreans pulled off a thrilling 81-79 come-from-behind win over Japan at home in the very last game of the First Round, becoming the 12th and final team to advance. They did it without star winger Lee Hyunjung by the way, and in the process gave head coach Nikolajs Mazurs his first win as the men's team's head coach.
Better late than never, yes?
8. China ⬇️6️⃣
Record: 3-3
In recent FIBA competitions, Japan are becoming a thorn in the side of China, as evidenced by the 92-73 beatdown they received last July 3 at home which was also their second loss in the last three times they fought one another. But this team definitely knows how to fight back when pushed into the edge, which they proved by venting all their frustrations on Chinese Taipei for the 92-74 victory. The result? A qualification to the Second Round, which also means keeping their hopes of reaching the World Cup for the third straight time.
7. Jordan ⬇️2️⃣
Record: 5-1
They did lose to Iran via a big margin in their final game of their Window 3 that spoiled their plans of going 6-0, but it was nonetheless a solid Round 1 for Jordan all in all. Going 5-1 while transitioning back to the system of their former head coach in Wesam Al Sous, who was brought in again to replace Roy Rana prior to the third window, should be a sign that things are A-OK over at the Falcons camp. There's also an effort to build on the future while trying to book a return trip to the World Cup by incorporating former youth stars like Saif Saleh this early, and that offers one more thing to keep an eye on as they navigate through a tough Group E in the Second Round.
6. Qatar ⬇️2️⃣
Record: 4-2
Sure, qualifying is no longer an issue being the hosts, but we cannot deny that it's been turning out to be a campaign so impressive for Qatar. Following that gutsy 76-73 come-from-behind win over Saudi Arabia, they finished the First Round with a 4-2 card. It is already their best record in the World Cup Qualifiers as they have doubled their win total from the 2019 edition, in which they ultimately finished at 2-10 in Group F. With the World Cup proper some 13 months away from raising its curtains, fans and observers alike cannot wait to see what kind of improvements this team from the Gulf would show come the Second Round.
5. Iran ⬆️4️⃣
Record: 5-1
Since bowing to the Jordanians back in Window 2, Iran are headed into the Second Round as one the field's hottest teams as they finished the recent leg with a three-game winning streak, capped by a dominant victory over, ironically, the very same team that dealt them their only loss thus far. With teams like the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand waiting them in Group E, it sure is going to be an intriguing Second Round ahead for Team Melli, knowing that they share some history particularly with Gilas and the Boomers - the three-time FIBA Asia Cup champions have beaten both of these teams in the past.
4. New Zealand ⬇️1️⃣
Record: 4-2
And since we're already discussing the hottest teams entering the Second Round, we can't forget about New Zealand. After losing to Australia twice in Window 1 no thanks to Davo Hickey's clutch shots, the Tall Blacks have rebounded since by sweeping both the Philippines and Guam to finish the First Round with a four-game winning streak. With established guards like Tai Webster and Shea Ili back in the fold, and with a frontcourt fortified by a budding towering tandem featuring Sam Mennenga and Sam Waardenburg, expect New Zealand to turn it up a notch higher come the Second Round as they shoot for World Cup appearance no. 7.
3. Japan ⬆️3️⃣
Record: 4-2
Some may argue that it was a tough Window 3 for Japan after collapsing against Korea in Goyang, but that game actually mattered more for the home team than them. What others choose to remember is their massive rout of China in the latter's own stomping grounds in Shenyang, which gave themselves a measure of payback after melting down and losing in their Window 2 encounter. But more importantly, that blowout win enabled the crew to clinch the no. 1 spot in Group B with a 4-2 record, and brought them back to the Second Round as well.
Joshua Hawkinson has looked like one of the best players in the Asian Qualifiers so far, but Japan's success at this point is also a result of the synchronized unit they have become as well.
2. Lebanon ⬆️5️⃣
Record: 5-1
It should be safe to assume that Lebanon have gotten into the rhythm they've been hoping for since Ahmad Farran took over the coaching reins with the way they've been performing. They beat India twice and Saudi Arabia in between, in the process building a four-game winning streak since suffering that shocker of a loss to the Qataris in Doha back in Window 1. Making it all the more impressive was the fact that they conquered Window 3 even without Wael Arakji and Dedric Lawson, while seeking some help from the ever-reliable 39-year-old Ater Majok.
1. Australia ↔️
Record: 6-0
For the first time in the Asian Qualifiers, only one team finished the First Round unbeaten and that is Australia, who did so following lopsided wins over Guam and the Philippines, in that order. And in both of those results, newcomer Bryce Cotton made quite a mark as he averaged 19.5 points in his first two outings wearing the green and gold, including a 21-point showing versus Gilas in Perth where he ignited the early breakaway toward the eventual 92-49 victory.
Will there be somebody capable enough to beat the reigning three-time Asia Cup champions?
DISCLAIMER: The Power Rankings are completely subjective and in no way represent an official or precise ranking system. All comments reflect the author’s opinions.
FIBA