MIAMI (United States) – With less than a week to go before the start of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers Window 1, it’s time to break down where each team stands for their opening games on the road to Qatar. These rankings consider current form, roster composition, and the difficulty of each team’s upcoming matchups. They are not connected to the official FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike. Here’s how the national teams of the Americas stack up for the opening window:
1. BRA
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 10 The South American giant enters the qualifiers after an excellent summer in which it was crowned champion of the Americas. Brazil has never missed a World Cup, and now has a chance to start strong against Chile. This is a team on the rise, but not yet among the top in the region. Coach Aleksandar Petrovic has blended promising young talent from Brazil’s domestic league with key AmeriCup contributors Lucas Dias, Georginho De Paula, Gui Deodato, and Alexey Borges. Veteran Leo Meindl also returns. Brazil has the depth to sweep both games.
2. USA
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 1 The reigning Olympic champions announced a roster built around G League players and seasoned free agents. Marjon Beauchamp, Torrey Craig, Kessler Edwards, and Nate Hinton add NBA pedigree, while Brandon Knight and Javonte Smart bring leadership after helping the USA win bronze at the AmeriCup. Kyle Guy also joins following a strong BCL Final 4.
With Coach Stephen Silas’ experience in previous Qualifier cycles, the team is well-positioned for both matchups against debutant Nicaragua.
3. ARG
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 8 After missing the last World Cup, Argentina wants back among the elite, and there’s reason for optimism. The team won silver at the latest AmeriCup despite being underdogs, thanks to breakout performances from young players such as Juan Fernández, Gonzalo Corbalán, and Juan Marcos. Veterans Nicolás Brussino, José Vildoza, and Francisco Cáffaro are also in good form. The roster looks deeper and less dependent on stars like Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck, or Nicolás Laprovíttola. The team faces Cuba twice, a tricky rival due to its athleticism and up-tempo style, but Argentina has the tools to handle the challenge.
4. CAN
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 5 Canada dominated the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers with an 11-1 record. Despite a fourth-place finish at the AmeriCup, the team remains one of the zone’s toughest teams thanks to its depth—even without NBA players. Expected returnees from the 2023 cycle include Trae Bell-Haynes, Kyle Alexander, Thomas Scrubb, and Aaron Best.
Canada will face the Bahamas, having defeated the islanders in all four previous World Cup Qualifiers meetings.
5. PUR
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 16 Puerto Rico named a strong roster featuring veterans Gian Clavell, Chris Ortiz, Isaiah Piñero, and Gary Browne. Facing debutant Jamaica gives them a chance to evaluate players like Tai Odiase and Zakai Zeigler. With Jamaica missing several rising stars and both games relocated to Puerto Rico following hurricane damage, the Puerto Ricans hold the clear advantage.
6. DOM
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 21 The Dominican Republic possesses high-end potential thanks to its global talent pool. While coach Néstor García had yet to finalize the roster at publication time, names like Chris Duarte have circulated. On paper, the Mexico matchup looks like the most evenly matched and unpredictable duel of the opening window.
7. MEX
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 31 Mexico didn’t play the AmeriCup and had to qualify through the Pre-Qualifiers, but the team is in good shape under coach Omar Quintero, which they’ve shown since before the last World Cup. Winning the home opener will be crucial to avoid extra pressure when the team plays in the Dominican Republic.
8. URU
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 44 Coach Gerardo Jauri took over during the AmeriCup Qualifiers, and Uruguay has since shown promising signs. One of them includes a win over the United States at the AmeriCup. Most of that core team returns, however, Bruno Fitipaldo is a key absence. Still, Nicola Pomoli is back, and Santiago Vescovi is expected to take on a bigger role. They face Panama twice—a team they beat twice in the AmeriCup Qualifiers, though Panama arrives more reinforced this time.
9. PAN
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 58 Panama will feature a completely different roster from the AmeriCup and from their previous matchups with Uruguay. Key players such as Akil Mitchell, Iverson Molinar, Eric Romero, Jhivvan Jackson, and Ricardo Lindo are now available.
With several of those same players, Panama defeated Brazil in their last AmeriCup Qualifiers game. The matchups with Uruguay are a toss-up and come with a sense of unfinished business.
10. COL
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 55 Colombia has stars like Braian Angola, Andrés Ibargüen, Juan Tello, Jaime Echenique, and Hansel Atencia. The team looks stronger than its opening-window rival, Venezuela. In fact, Colombia won its most recent matchup during the AmeriCup Qualifiers. With that core, the Colombians are capable of challenging anyone. They reached the Second Round of the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers, proving Colombia is a legitimate candidate to surprise.
11. VEN
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 28 Venezuela is navigating a transitional phase following the last World Cup. A mixed AmeriCup campaign showed both promise and inconsistency. With a new coach, Francisco Segura, appointed just this week, the team faces a major test immediately against direct rival Colombia.
12. BAH
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 51 The Bahamas might be missing its NBA stars, but it still has talent. The team has lacked on-court cohesion, and some struggles were evident at the AmeriCup, where the team failed to advance from the Group Stage. This marks their third World Cup Qualifiers cycle, so the players have shared experience. However, the opening window will be tough since Canada has beaten them by 20+ points in every qualifier meeting.
13. CUB
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 69 Cuba has shown flashes of potential and features solid players competing internationally. However, consistency remains an issue, and Argentina presents a significant challenge. Their outlook hinges on final roster availability, which is often uncertain until the last moment.
14. CHI
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 62 Chile has been growing for several years. In the last AmeriCup Qualifiers, they beat Argentina and came within one win of reaching the continental tournament. This window is tougher as Brazil awaits, and Sebastián Herrera and Felipe Haase are doubtful. But Chile will have more opportunities to compete later in the cycle when the team faces Venezuela and Colombia.
15. NCA
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 77 Nicaragua showed encouraging signs as hosts of the AmeriCup, even without a win. Young talents Joost West and Caleb Myers continue to develop, and Norchad Omier headlines the roster after posting historic AmeriCup averages (22.3 points, 18.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.0 steals).
The challenge against the United States is steep. So if Omier, West, Myers, and veteran Jared Ruiz can participate consistently throughout the cycle, Nicaragua can build a solid foundation.
16. JAM
FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 95 Led by Norman Powell, Jamaica earned its spot through the Pre-Qualifiers and will make its debut. But with the Miami Heat star unavailable this window, the team will need a major collective effort. Center Romaro Gill and forward Romaine Thomas are now the team’s key pieces, but the outlook is tough against a regional powerhouse like Puerto Rico.
DISCLAIMER: Power rankings are entirely subjective and in no way represent an official or accurate classification system. All comments reflect solely the opinion of the author.
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