FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers Smart Power Rankings: Volume 5

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MUNICH (Germany) - The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers are back, with the last window of the First Round taking place in July.

There won't be a lot of time to celebrate the results of this window, as the Second Round starts immediately after, in August, followed by another couple of windows in November 2026 and February/March 2027.

We will be monitoring each country's progress in our Power Rankings before and after each window.

#1 Türkiye (=)

Record: 4-0 Schedule in July: @ BIH, vs. Switzerland

The roster announcement left no doubt for us, Türkiye had to stay top of the list, because 11 of the 12 FIBA EuroBasket 2025 runners-up are back. Including that dude, what's his name, ah yes, Alperen Sengun, that's him, that's right, yeah, we heard he's good.

Shane Larkin is no longer here, but adding guys like Malachi Flynn and Tarik Biberovic could make them an even better team. And they already are 4-0 in these Qualifiers...

#2 France (+4)

Record: 3-1 Schedule in July: @ Belgium, vs. Finland

No Victor Wembanyama on this list, but this is what everybody talked about over the past few years about the talent pool in France. You could not have arguably the best player in the world on the list, and the remaining names are still so strong, we push them four spots up even without watching the games.

Just look at this, frère!

#3 Spain (=)

Record: 4-0 Schedule in July: vs. Denmark, @ Georgia

It's hard to guess who will show up for the training camp, as the Liga Endesa Finals are still on, with Valencia and Barcelona fighting for the title.

But no matter who ends up getting the final call from coach Chus Mateo, it would be a gigantic upset if Spain weren't to finish 6-0 in the First Round. That could be a massive leap towards the summit, since they are crossing paths with Group B teams in the Second Round, and nobody there could go 6-0.

#4 Serbia (+4)

Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: @ Switzerland, vs. BIH

So, a jump of four spots in the Power Rankings without a game played yet? Something important must have happened, huh?

Well, yeah. Nikola Jokic is back in the lineup, and it's not just any lineup, it's a lineup that coach Dusan Alimpijevic put together. Their connection is unique, Jokic followed Alimpijevic's coaching clinics and seminars, and even watched Besiktas games from across the world.

He was smiling and joking upon arrival, and that's a scary sight for not just Switzerland and BIH in this Window, but the entire world.

#5 Poland (-3)

Record: 4-0 Schedule in July: @ Austria, vs. Netherlands

Internet and real life aren't all the same, you know. Because going viral in real life means you probably had an infection and feel like your bones and muscles aren't attached properly to your skeleton, while your head weighs a ton itself. You don't feel so good, is what we're saying.

Going viral online is somewhat different. Just ask Andrzej Pluta Jr. His stepback crossover triple against Luka Doncic went viral, got him a lot of followers and a lot of confidence, too, as Legia Warszawa's guard was the MVP of the Season and the Finals MVP in the Polish League, leading his team to another championship.

#6 Germany (-2)

Record: 3-1 Schedule in July: @ Israel, vs. Cyprus

They fell by two spots, but it's more about the others rising than them falling. We still don't know the final roster for these two games, but with the way the German basketball has been developing over the past five years or so, it would be a major surprise not seeing them at 5-1 at the end of the First Round.

#7 Croatia (=)

Record: 3-1 Schedule in July: @ Cyprus, vs. Israel

This will be interesting in more ways than one. Because, (1) we're talking about one of the best stories of the first two Windows, falling just short of a 4-0 start with that defeat in Germany, (2) we're also talking about a team with Dario Saric back as an Anadolu Efes player, (3) we're also saying stuff about Mario Hezonja coming in as the Spanish League MVP, (4) we're looking at two more guys with crazy good campaigns in Spain this year in Luka Bozic and Danko Brankovic, and (5) we're looking forward to seeing Ivica Zubac back in full fitness.

Pray for the rims in Limassol and Osijek. This is the dunkiest Croatia of all time.

#8 Lithuania (+3)

Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: vs. Great Britain, @ Italy

The world has waited for a long time to see Matas Buzelis in a Lithuanian national team jersey. In fact, these could be his first FIBA environment games since he was on NBA G League Ignite team at the 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup.

Buzelis is coming off a career year, averaging 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds for the Chicago Bulls, and he finished the season of a run of 21 straight games with double digit points, including a 41-point detonation against the Golden State Warriors.

Plenty of excitement in the country to see their next big NBA thing perform in the most beautiful jersey of European basketball.

#9 Greece (-4)

Record: 3-1 Schedule in July: @ Romania, vs. Portugal

You heard about Giannis Antetokounmpo, huh? See, this is why it's always better, when you have a favorite player, to just buy his national team jersey instead of the club jersey. Anyway, food for thought: let's monitor the number of Miami Heat jerseys sold in Greece this summer, okay? Okay.

Anyway, Greece do not lose four spots because of the trade, but because other national teams are bringing their NBA stars for the upcoming window. Also, because we are gearing them up so we can move them up if/when they collect two more wins and reach the next round at 5-1.

#10 Italy (-1)

Record: 3-1 Schedule in July: @ Iceland, vs. Lithuania

Our thoughts are with you, coach Banchi!

The legendary playcaller will miss the July games due to family reasons, so instead of writing a joke or two here, or telling you about the players who are coming or not coming to the camp, we'll just wish coach Luca Banchi all the best in hopes we get to see him on the sidelines as soon as possible.

In bocca al lupo!

#11 Finland (-1)

Record: 3-1 Schedule in July: vs. Hungary, @ France

The only reason they dropped out of the Top 10 here is so we can push them to Top 5 when they go 2-0 and stun France on the road.

Lauri Markkanen is back, as well as all the usual suspects for coach Lassi Tuovi. They will perform an interesting maneuver this summer, as they split the team in two, with the veterans* on one side, and the Susijengi Rising Stars assembled on the other side, made of their NCAA players.

*Kinda silly to call them veterans, since there are only eight players (of 24 on the list) who were born before the year 2000, but here we are

#12 Montenegro (+1)

Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: @ Portugal, vs. Romania

Yogi Ferrell found a home in Podgorica, playing for Buducnost for the past three seasons. Which means the naturalization process was fairly simple, he knew the environment and the personnel, he knew the city and the country, and every single Montenegrin person knew everything about Yogi.

They will need his shot making to collect a pair of wins here and keep the dream alive of reaching another FIBA Basketball World Cup.

#13 Israel (+2)

Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: vs. Germany, @ Croatia

Okay, let's be real here. We expected a team with Deni Avdija included, but they announced the squad without him, so it poses the question if they are still good enough to tackle Germany and Croatia.

Well, they could be, as evident by Yam Madar going crazy in the Play-Offs over there. He's the engine for the team, so let's see if #13 for them is overestimating his current run.

#14 Slovenia (-2)

Record: 3-1 Schedule in July: @ Estonia, vs. Sweden

Speaking of naturalization processes, we will keep an eye on Slovenia for the next window. Not this one, as Jaxson Hayes will miss this one, but his new passport will be useful in August, as he turns into the vertical moving target for Luka Doncic lobs.

This time around, it's the youngsters leading the way, with coach Aleksander Sekulic joining the camp probably still... ehm... what's the word? Happy? Yes, happy after all the parties and celebrations, as he led Dubai to a sensational ABA League title, taking down Partizan in the Finals.

#15 Iceland (-1)

Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: vs. Italy, @ Great Britain

Since 2022, Iceland and Italy played each other five times, with Iceland winning three times. So yes, they are feeling comfortable in this head-to-head.

However, they haven't exactly been dominant in those matchup at home, and they also dropped a home game to Team GB in these Qualifiers, meaning they aren't feeling as comfortable as you'd imagine. So a strong prospect of going 4-2 and 2-4 at the same time, which probably means they'll be 3-3 and that's all.

#16 Bosnia and Herzegovina (=)

Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: vs. Türkiye, @ Serbia

The job's done, they will be in the Second Round no matter what happens in these two games. But these guys, playing with so much pride for the national team, they want more, and at least they don't have to travel all that much in this window, taking on Türkiye in Zenica, and traveling to Serbia afterwards.

Now it's only a matter of how many sleepless nights they'll have until the games begin, as they are a 1000 percent following everything that's going on with Edin Dzeko and the others at the FIFA World Cup across the pond.

#17 Estonia (+3)

Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: vs. Slovenia, @ Czechia

Is this the first time in a long time that Estonia are actually the favorites to win a pair of games? Do they even know how to handle that pressure if it's the first time?

Looking at the rosters, schedules, runs, shape of the players and the alignment of the planets in the sky compared to Earth's magnetic field, Estonia have a pair of match points on their serve. They had already defeated Slovenia on the road in this group, so a sweep over them could go a long way in the battles for top spot.

Yep. Estonia. Top spot. We're talking about it. Cue the music!

#18 Ukraine (=)

Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: vs. Georgia, @ Denmark

It's a peculiar situation for Ukraine, as they are #2 in the standings, but do not have that all important asterisk next to their name, as they could still be caught by Denmark at the end of the First Round.

Then again, they already defeated Georgia on the road, so if they complete the sweep, there's a lot of potential to finish 4-2 and start the Second Round on a high. Ukraine have not made the World Cup since 2014, when they finished... (looking it up) 18th.

Can't wait for them to go 1-1 and we keep them in 18th here, too.

#19 Hungary (-2)

Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: @ Finland, vs. Belgium

Climbing the Lauri Markkanen sized mountain... Actually, swimming the Lauri Markkanen sized lake in Finland could be a task too difficult to handle, but it's okay, as all eyes are on that other matchup.

It's not just about moving to the next round, there's actually a solid chance of doing it at 3-3. Given the chaos of the neighboring group (SLO 3-1, EST 2-2, CZE 2-2, SWE 1-3), Hungary at 3-3 could be in a solid position to reach the World Cup.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves. They aren't even qualified for the next round, you know?

#20 Latvia (+2)

Record: 1-3 Schedule in July: @ Netherlands, vs. Austria

We're supposed to be without biases here, but let's privatize the ether for a second, please. Bear with us.

There are a lot of young coaches out there who just need one lucky break and they could be superstars in their own way. Like, a young coach who is 41, but already has 16 years of coaching experience.

A young coach, 41, 16 years of experience, hometown hero straight outta Riga.

A young coach, 41, 16, Riga, seven-time national champion with VEF Riga, creator of one of the biggest upsets in European basketball in 2025, when he led Mitteldeutscher BC to a German Cup title, climbing over the mighty Bayern and Bamberg.

A young coach, 41, 16, Riga, 7x, 2025. Janis Gailitis has been with the national team program from 2021 to 2025, so yes, consider us excited for what's next when it comes to Mūsu Zeme.

#21 Netherlands (=)

Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: vs. Latvia, @ Poland

At the time of writing this, we still don't know what the lineup will look like, but here's a clue on how big basketball got in the country over the recent years.

Quinten Post hosted a free basketball camp in Amsterdam a couple of weeks ago. They expected around 80 kids at the event.

They were off by just one zero, because 800 of them showed up! Give All Day Athletes a follow on IG, they helped organize it, and they'll give you all the ins and outs about developing basketball in the Netherlands.

#22 Portugal (+3)

Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: vs. Montenegro, @ Greece

Most of the crew is back, and the +3 is because the Porto players will come in feeling extremely happy after ending a 10-year-long drought and finally winning the championship in the country.

They'll need all the feel good vibes because look at that schedule... That's right, huge opportunity to go 4-2, and pave the way towards their first ever World Cup appearance.

#23 Sweden (+3)

Record: 1-3 Schedule in July: vs. Czechia, @ Slovenia

Okay, they need to win at least one game, not to advance, but to avoid another 1-5 next to Sweden's name...

Anyway, Pelle Larsson is here, as well as super-best-friends Ludde Hakanson and Simon Birgander, as well as Melwin Pantzar who's had another sublime season in Bilbao. Yeah, shouldn't be 1-5, really.

Let's never mention 1-5 and Sweden again, okay? Okay.

#24 Czechia (-5)

Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: @ Sweden, vs. Estonia

The good news for Czechia is that Jan Vesely and Tomas Satoransky are still playing important roles for Barcelona, even at this late stage of their incredible careers.

The bad news for Czechia is that Jan Vesely and Tomas Satoransky are still playing important roles for Barcelona, so they are still in the Liga Endesa Finals, and their Window 3 participation is still subject to confirmation branded.

#25 Georgia (-2)

Record: 2-2 Schedule in July: @ Ukraine, vs. Spain

Speaking of Barcelona, Toko Shengelia is expected to be there for the Georgian national team. Then again, this has never been in doubt.

While Second Round is already secured for Georgia, every single win counts. And you know they'll somehow end up in a close game with Spain as they always do that, so 3-3 and 4-2 are still possible.

#26 Great Britain (-2)

Record: 1-3 Schedule in July: @ Lithuania, vs. Iceland

They are just one win below the elimination line at the moment, but the problem is, they have to travel to Lithuania next, and yes, Ignas Sargiunas is on that roster, ready for another 50 points in the last 50 seconds of the game, or whatever he scored the last time they played.

Go 1-4 there, it could be all over before the last game vs. Iceland, if the Icelanders defeat the Italians. Troubled times for Team GB, yep.

#27 Austria (=)

Record: 1-3 Schedule in July: vs. Poland, @ Latvia

There are six NCAA players on their preliminary roster, and Jakob Poeltl also got the call, so let's called them the USA of the Qualifiers, A being Austria, of course.

The schedule couldn't get any harder, with a home game against an in-form Poland, and a road game in Latvia, but hey, sounds like a perfect opportunity to upset a few people and make us shout "USA! USA!"

Okay, maybe not, but you get it.

#28 Romania (=)

Record: 1-3 Schedule in July: vs. Greece, @ Montenegro

Can't wait for two more games of Daron Russell craziness! One important note for Greece, though: Daron Russell averages 24.5 points at home.

Oh, and one important note for Montenegro, too: although he scores only 8.0 points per game on the road in this campaign, the best game of his entire career as a pro was in Montenegro, when he put up 47 points for Mornar against Zadar.

He knows the neighborhood, knows the rims over there. It's probably gonna take an effort like that to pull off an upset and reach the Second Round, but hey, we're here warning you about it, so it's plausible.

#29 Belgium (=)

Record: 0-4 Schedule in July: vs. France, @ Hungary

It has been a rocky road thus far for Belgium, but they will figure it out, eventually. Changes are happening all over the place in their basketball, and one of the longest reigns of all time ended just a few weeks back, as - get this - Oostende are not Belgian champions anymore!

Windrose Giants Antwerp won their second title, first one since 2000, and ended a run of 14 straight championships won by Filou Oostende.

Maybe that new club spark ignites a new national team spark, as well. Because at 0-4, they need a spark.

#30 Denmark (=)

Record: 0-4 Schedule in July: @ Spain, vs. Ukraine

No news on the potential roster yet, but unless a miracle happens, Denmark will end their quest towards the World Cup in the First Round.

Even if they manage to upset Spain -- on the road, too -- they still need Ukraine to lose their matchup with Georgia, and then they need to defeat Ukraine by 18+ points. Hence, "a miracle" mentioned in the first sentence.

#31 Switzerland (=)

Record: 0-4 Schedule in July: vs. Serbia, @ Türkiye

Nice balance on the roster for coach Ilias Papatheodorou, a bit of domestic league heroes, a bit of internationals, and five players who are currently in the United States, making a name for themselves through various leagues and competitions.

Their bigs will have one of the toughest windows in basketball world, as they take on Nikola Jokic and Alperen Sengun in back-to-back games. Good luck with that, huh...

#32 Cyprus (=)

Record: 0-4 Schedule in July: vs. Croatia, @ Germany

Well, being the only eliminated team so far, it was easy to see where we'll put Cyprus in the Power Rankings.

They are among the teams that have not submitted a lineup for the Qualifiers yet, but whoever gets the call will have an amazing journey against Croatia's superstars in Dario Saric, Ivica Zubac and Mario Hezonja, followed by a trip to visit the reigning FIBA Basketball World Cup and FIBA EuroBasket champs.

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.