MIES (Switzerland) - Much of the narrative surrounding the majority of teams competing in Window 3 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers is whether or not they can advance to the Second Round.
The upcoming window, set to be played from June 29-July 6, is the last for the First Round, making the games ahead all the more crucial as their hopes of reaching Qatar are at stake.
But lest we forget that some of the bouts carry stories of their own. From storied rivalries to teams crossing paths with old tormentors and to potential debuts, we made a list of 9 games that you should not miss.
Qatar versus Saudi Arabia
June 29, 2026 Al-Gharafa Sports Club Multi-Purpose Hall Doha, Qatar 19:00 local time
Saudi Arabia are coming in with the mental edge versus Qatar, as they carry a 3-0 record in their head-to-head matchup in FIBA play. But the World Cup hosts would surely want to flip the narrative this time around.
And they could do just that given how solid they've been playing so far. They're currently at 2-1 in Group D after picking up big wins against Lebanon and India, which are indeed proof of how much they've been growing.
Adding the Saudis to their list of victims would mark yet another achievement, for sure.
Saudi Arabia versus Lebanon
July 2, 2026 King Abdullah Sports City Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 20:00 local time
These two met just last Window 2 and Lebanon won in dominant fashion, 94-64, in Zouk Mikael although what fans and observers remember the most from that game was Jihad El-Khatib's coming-out party.
In his best performance in a Cedars uniform to date, the 21-year-old winger finished with 12 points, 10 of which he made in just the opening period to lead his side to a 27-16 lead, setting up the lopsided affair.
The second-generation hooper, who's also wearing jersey no. 15 just like his father, shot 4-of-8 from the floor - including a pair of triples - and also had 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals for an all-around showing.
Can he replicate as much, or better yet do even better? That we have to see, but one thing's for sure: He'd be a marked man in the Saudis' playbook as they aim to earn some measure of payback against the Lebanese.
Jordan versus Iran
July 2, 2026 Prince Hamza Hall Amman, Jordan 19:30 local time
Only two teams have remained undefeated thus far in the Asian Qualifiers and that includes Jordan. The Falcons are presently sitting atop Group C with a 3-0 record, which they got after beating Iran back in Window 2.
It was actually Team Melli's first loss after a 2-0 start and enabled Team Jordan to take the provisional lead in the pool, and the latter would want to replicate the 73-60 decision in an attempt to stretch the perfect run to four.
But the Iranians wouldn't want a repeat of that to happen. They've been so hungry to beat the Falcons, having lost in their last two meetings already, the first being a 91-76 rout in the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 Quarter-Finals.
New Zealand versus Philippines
July 3, 2026 Spark Arena Auckland, New Zealand 15:00 local time
After sweeping Guam in Window 1, the Philippines got into a rough patch come the February window and absorbed losses to New Zealand and Australia - teams that have long proven to be thorns on their side.
But between the two Oceania teams, the Tall Blacks were the first to fall to Gilas - a massive 93-89 upset during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. And their Window 2 meeting could be a source of hope for the latter.
After absorbing big losses since that stunner of a win back in November of 2024, the Filipino dribblers fell by only a field goal, 69-66, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, doing so even without star big man Kai Sotto.
Can they pull off a shocker in Auckland?
Australia versus Guam
July 3, 2026 Perth 18:30 local time
The Boomers have the best record among all 16 teams in the Asian Qualifiers at 4-0 after two windows and they have zero intentions of slowing down, as the world no. 6 aims to sweep its way to the Second Round.
They could go 5-0 against the still-winless Guam on July 3 at home but more than staying perfect, what many have long been anticipating in this particular matchup is the potential debut of Bryce Cotton.
For starters, the 33-year-old guard has become an icon in Aussie hoops. He's a 6-time MVP and a 3-time champion in the NBL, and could grow his legend further as he's wearing his first cap in the FIBA stage sooner.
Korea versus Chinese Taipei
July 3, 2026 Goyang Gymnasium Goyang, Korea 19:30 local time
Expect Korea to come out a vengeful unit when they host Chinese Taipei in Goyang, as the traditional contenders are raring to get back at the same team that's responsible for their first loss of the tilt last window.
They wanted to go 3-0 but their plans got spoiled after their East Asian rivals came away with the 77-65 victory in New Taipei City, giving Chinese Taipei their first win over the Koreans in a major FIBA contest since 2009.
But aside from getting back, serving as an extra motivation for Team Korea would be giving new head coach Nikolajs Mazurs his first win at the helm after getting surprisingly blanked in the previous window.
Can they do it?
China versus Japan
July 3, 2026 Liaoning Gymnasium Shenyang, Liaoning, China 19:30 local time
Need we say more? This is the rivalry of rivalries in Asian basketball and for the second time in this World Cup Qualifiers, China and Japan are duking it out, this time in the former's own lair at the Liaoning Gymnasium.
Momentum is on Team Dragon's side after winning both of their outings in the second window, which included an 87-80 come-from-behind win against the Japanese that marked the start of a turnaround from a 0-2 start.
Team Japan, though, have since rebounded by downing Korea, 78-70, in Okinawa, in the process giving Dai Oketani his first win as head coach. Now, it's about trying to take revenge on their fellow powerhouse.
And making sure that no collapse would take place again.
China versus Chinese Taipei
July 6, 2026 Goyang Gymnasium Goyang, Korea 15:00 local time
Similar to the last window, China and Chinese Taipei will slug it out on neutral grounds anew, this time in Korea. And it sure is going to be another down-the-wire affair, just like what happened at the MoA Arena.
For a refresher, Chinese Taipei appeared to be en route to beating China for the first time since 2013 - in the exact same venue, by the way - until the latter showed their never-say-die spirit with a comeback to remember.
They fought their way back from as much as 11 down, and then went on to unload a strong 18-4 finishing kick behind Zhao Jiwei, Zhao Rui, and Hu Jinqiu to make sure that history won't repeat itself.
We should have a good rematch ahead.
Korea versus Japan
July 6, 2023 Goyang Gymnasium Goyang, Korea 19:30 local time
Lee Hyun-jung should be at front and center of Korea's Window 2 campaign although what makes this particular stint all the more intriguing would be his renewed confidence from a triumphant 2025-26 B.League run.
The star winger out of Davidson had himself quite the year in Japan's top-flight basketball league as he steered the Nagasaki Velca to their maiden championship, in the process winning Finals MVP honors.
And in the final game of the First Round, the 25-year-old is set to go up against the same faces he fought against in the recently concluded B.League season, as Team Korea will be taking on Japan in Goyang.
How will familiarity factor in this bout? That we have to see.
FIBA