MIES (Switzerland) - Rivalries will be renewed as the Second Round of what's been an exciting FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers gets underway this August featuring teams from Groups E and F.
Here are some of the must-see matchups in Window 4.
Qatar versus China
August 27, 2026 Al Janoub Arena Al Wakrah, Qatar 19:00 local time
Will this be Qatar's chance to finally win one against China? According to available records, the 2027 World Cup hosts lost to the continental powerhouse from East Asia in all of their 6 meetings in FIBA competitions.
Their most recent bout was during the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 in Lebanon, which saw China come away with a 92-67 rout. Needless to say, their counterparts from the Gulf would want to change the story this time.
As far as form is concerned, Team Qatar are in the midst of easily their best run in the World Cup Qualifiers. They finished Round 1 with back-to-back wins to clinch the no. 2 spot in Group D with a 4-2 record.
China, for their part, had to scrape through the opening round to reach the Second Round, punching their ticket by crushing long-time rivals Chinese Taipei to finish at third in a truly competitive Group B with a 3-3 slate.
The game also marks a historic first: Al Janoub Stadium, one of the signature venues of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, will host basketball for the first time following its transformation into enclosed, dedicated basketball arena with seating for 8,200 spectators. It will also serve as one of the venues hosting the World Cup 2027 games next year.
Lebanon versus Korea
August 27, 2026 Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex Zouk Mikael, Lebanon 21:00 local time
Korea are eyeing to keep their mastery of Lebanon as the rivals lock horns once more at the latter's own stomping grounds at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex, which should draw a solid home crowd once more.
The East Asian contenders have won their last three games against the Cedars in FIBA play, the latest a 97-86 decision during the 2025 Asia Cup Group Phase in Saudi Arabia to advance to the Final Phase.
Korea eventually reached the Quarter-Finals after that victory against the 2022 Asia Cup runners-up and that's big thanks to Yu Kisang, who nailed 8 triples and finished with 28 points to frustrate Lebanon.
Needless to say, he'd be a marked man - if ever he gets lined up for their rematch - by a team that's hoping not just to end a skid against Korea, but to even things out in their head-to-head since they're trailing, 6-7.
Iran versus New Zealand
August 28, 2026 Mall of Asia Arena Pasay City, Philippines 14:00 local time
That photo above should be enough to light a fire within New Zealand. Iran took home the bronze medal in the 2025 Asia Cup for their first medal in the tilt since 2017 by beating the Tall Blacks, 79-73.
It couldn't get more painful for the Oceania powerhouse, as their bid of securing another podium finish got spoiled - the Kiwis finished third during the 2022 Asia Cup in Indonesia for a breakthrough medal in the tourney.
Can they get their revenge this time? What's sure, though, is that New Zealand are coming into the Second Round confident, as they finished the previous round with four straight wins to finish second in Group A (4-2).
But Iran themselves are streaking as well. They finished the First Round with three straight wins, including a rout of Jordan to avenge their Window 2 loss, to eventually lock up the top spot in Group C with a 5-1 record.
Jordan versus Philippines
August 28, 2026 Mall of Asia Arena Pasay City, Philippines 20:30 local time
The Philippines and Jordan are set to meet one another for the first time in the FIBA stage since the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers' Second Round and the latter would want to pull off a repeat when they duke it out.
The Falcons got past Gilas, 91-90, at the Philippine Arena, but not before surviving Justin Brownlee which saw the star winger drop 41 points - third-most in the World Cup Qualifiers' single-game scoring records.
Definitely, 'JB' and his squad would want to get back at their West Asian foes, as they've also been aching to win again. They're in the midst of a four-game skid after losing to Australia and New Zealand to end Round 1.
Team Jordan, on the other hand, finished second in Group C with a 5-1 card, and are keen on building another winning streak.
Philippines versus Iran
August 30, 2026 Mall of Asia Arena Pasay City, Philippines 20:00 local time
It's going to be a Sunday night filled with nostalgia as the Philippines and Iran take on one another in the very same venue where they fought for Asia Cup supremacy some 13 years ago: at the MoA Arena.
Gilas did lose that Final while Team Melli nabbed their third gold, but it was a tournament to cherish for the former as their entry to the title bout brought the country back to the World Cup after almost 40 years.
Their August 30 bout would be their first meeting since the 2019 World Cup Classification 17-32 in China, which saw Iran cruise to a 95-75 victory while the Philippines eventually finished the event winless.
That result hiked their head-to-head record against the Filipino dribblers in FIBA competitions at 6-1. But with their upcoming rematch to be held in Pasay, can Coach Tim Cone and his charges take full advantage?
Japan versus Qatar
August 31, 2026 Tokyo 19:10 local time
The previous and present World Cup hosts are set to battle it out in Tokyo. And this, without a shadow of a doubt, should serve as another solid test for Qatar when they take on another traditional contender in Japan.
So after facing China, Qatar are taking on a team that's been hitting major strides over the past few years - from making appearances in the last two Olympics, with a historic World Cup hosting in between.
It's going to be their first meeting since the 2019 World Cup Qualifiers' Second Round, where AKATSUKI JAPAN won in convincing fashion, 96-48, behind a balanced attack at the Al-Gharafa Sports Club Multi-Purpose Hall in Doha.
Surely, they'd want to get back at them, for it has been a long while since they have beaten Japan at the FIBA level. After winning their first five meetings, the last three belonged to their adversaries from the East.
China versus Lebanon
August 31, 2026 Zhuji 19:30 local time
The last time these two fought, Lebanon came away with the narrow 72-69 decision to barge into the 2022 Asia Cup Semi-Finals, with Wael Arakji leading the way as the eventual TISSOT MVP submitted 32 points.
However, the lefty guard is most likely out in their upcoming rematch. He reportedly suffered an ACL injury during Game 2 of the recent Lebanese Basketball Championship Finals.
No doubt that China would want to exploit that opening, for they know, too, that history is on their side. In the 14 times they've played in the FIBA arena thus, Team Dragon have reigned triumphant in 12 of those.
They'd want that head-to-head advantage to grow into a baker's dozen, for sure.
FIBA