MIES (Switzerland) - The Second Round begins with six teams in Group F chasing tickets to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
Lebanon, Japan, Qatar, Korea, China and Saudi Arabia make up a wide-open group, with just two wins separating the teams from top to bottom.
With all First Round results carried forward to Window 4, there is no room for anyone to start slowly.
And unlike most qualification races, Qatar's presence adds another twist as the hosts are already guaranteed a place at the World Cup 2027.
You can check out exactly how the teams can qualify here.
Group F
Lebanon start from the best position, while Japan and Qatar are just one win behind. Korea, China and Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, all begin the Second Round at 3-3. Needless to say, that means every single game carries serious weight. Lebanon cannot afford to become complacent, while the three teams at 3-3 know that another loss could create a sizeable gap between themselves and the top three.
So, are you ready for the Group F chaos?
The Favorite: Lebanon
The Cedars enter the Second Round with the best record in the group and plenty of momentum. Lebanon went 5-1 in the First Round, topping their group after winning five straight games following an opening-window defeat to Qatar. Their +103 point differential was also the best mark among the six Group F teams.
And they are coming off one of the most impressive individual performances of Window 3. Ali Mezher rewrote the Asian Qualifiers record book with 15 assists against India, surpassing the previous record of 14. He also added 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals as Lebanon finished the First Round on a high.
That said, the Cedars now face a very different challenge. They open Window 4 against Korea before traveling to China, meaning they immediately face two teams desperate to climb into the qualification positions. Lebanon's early advantage is real, but so is the danger of losing it.
Moreover, they will have to get through this stretch without Wael Arakji who is nursing an injury.
Key matchups
Lebanon vs Korea (August 27)
Japan vs Saudi Arabia (August 28)
China vs Lebanon (August 31)
Lebanon and Korea will get the Group F fireworks started in Zouk Mikael, with the Cedars looking to protect their position while Korea attempt to make an immediate move up the standings. The Taeguk Warriors enter at 3-3 after dramatically surviving Japan, 81-79, in the final game of the First Round to secure their Second Round berth. These two teams have had some exciting games in the past, and their matchup here promises to be another barn-burner.
The other opening-day clash could be just as intriguing. Saudi Arabia are level with Korea and China at 3-3, but they face a Japan team that could look dramatically different with the potential of having Yuki Kawamura and Rui Hachimura back in the mix. Japan finished the First Round 4-2 and topped Group B, including an emphatic 92-73 victory over China in Window 3.
Then comes China versus Lebanon. They were one of the final teams to secure qualification from the First Round, but they enter the Second Round with plenty of firepower. Wang Junjie and Li Hongquan provide China with a young, talented core, while Zhao Jiwei and Hu Jinqiu bring considerable senior experience. Lebanon, meanwhile, will have to contend with a Chinese side playing in front of its home crowd in Zhuji. With only two points separating first from the teams in fourth through sixth, this could be the game that really starts to shake up the group.
The Underdogs: Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia may sit at the bottom of Group F, but calling them outsiders would be premature. They arrive at 3-3, meaning they are only one win away from drawing level with Japan and Qatar. More importantly, their +15 point differential is actually better than both Korea and China.
Their challenge, though, is the schedule. Saudi Arabia open against Japan before traveling to Suwon to face Korea - two teams that are looking at welcoming back big stars. This gives them two direct opportunities to make up ground on teams competing for the same qualification spots. Saudi Arabia will obviously need to maximize those opportunities. A split would keep them firmly in the race. Two victories, however, could completely transform the Group F picture.
Players to watch
Yuki Kawamura - JAPAN
GUARD
Birth Date: May 2, 2001 (25 years old)
Height: 172 cm / 5'8"
Few players can change the complexion of a national team quite like playmaking wizard Yuki Kawamura. The diminutive point guard has already established himself as one of Asia's premier distributors, averaging 13.6 points and 7.6 assists at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 before starring at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with 20.3 points and 7.7 assists per game.
Now, after missing Japan's First Round campaign, Kawamura is back in the mix for Window 4. His speed, creativity and fearless shot-making could give Japan another dimension as they attempt to maintain their position near the top of Group F. And with Rui Hachimura also among Japan's expected options, AKATSUKI JAPAN could be much more potent in the Second Round.
Lee Hyunjung - KOREA
FORWARD
Birth Date: Feb 5, 2000 (26 years old)
Height: 201 cm / 6'7"
Korea's perimeter attack should receive a significant boost from the return of Lee Hyunjung. The former Davidson standout brings size, shooting and international experience to a Korean team that had to fight until the final moments to secure their place in the Second Round. Lee's ability to stretch the floor and create scoring opportunities will certainly be crucial as the Koreans look to move into the top three.
DJ Funderburk - LEBANON
CENTER
Birth Date: Apr 12, 1997 (29 years old)
Height: 208 cm / 6'10"
Lebanon could become even more formidable inside with the expected debut of DJ Funderburk. The 208 cm / 6'10" big man has spent years playing professionally across Europe and beyond, including with Anwil Wloclawek in the FIBA Europe Cup, where he averaged 10.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in 2025. His athleticism and scoring ability around the basket would give the Cedars another frontcourt option as they brace for games against Korea and China. For a Lebanon team already sitting atop Group F, adding another weapon could make an already difficult team even harder to contain.
Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman – SAUDI ARABIA
GUARD
Birth Date: Sep 1, 1994 (32 years old)
Height: 193 cm / 6'4"
Saudi Arabia will need a major offensive contribution from Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman if they are to climb from 3-3 into the qualification spots. The explosive guard has been one of the most productive scorers in the Asian Qualifiers, averaging 21.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists through six games. Abdur-Rahkman has already shown that he can take over games in the competition, including a 28-point performance against Qatar in Window 3. He was also Saudi Arabia's leading scorer at the Asia Cup 2025, averaging 26.0 points over four games.
With Saudi Arabia level with Korea and China, their opening matchup against Japan will be pivotal. If Abdur-Rahkman can continue producing at an elite level, the Green Falcons have the scoring punch to make a serious push for one of Group F's qualification spots.
Chaos begins
Group F is far from decided.
Japan and Qatar are within touching distance of the Cedars. Korea, China and Saudi Arabia all have plausible paths to climb into the qualification places. With results carrying over and just three direct spots available to the non-host teams, every win, possesion and point could prove decisive.
Window 4 tips off on August 27 at 19:00 GMT with two Group F games, followed by Group E on August 28.
FIBA