CTV( Germany) The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers continue next week. A total of 32 teams are spread across eight groups, with the top three advancing to the Second Round.
Each team already played a pair of games, while another pair will be played in February and March 2026, and the First Round concludes in July 2026.
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.
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Serbia
The brackets say =, when they should easily say +1 even as number one from the last Power Rankings. Let us explain: They already had the top spot and now got even better.
That’s because Malachi Flynn is set to make his national team debut, having the time of his life at Bahcesehir College with 15.8 points, 4.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game in the Turkish League, while shooting 39.8 percent from deep.
In EuroCup, his averages are 17.7 points, 4.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds, and he’s still just a 27-year-old with plenty of European basketball ahead of him. Türkiye will need him to deliver immediately, look at the doubleheader opponent they’ve got in this window!
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Montenegro
Even though they lost their last matchup with Montenegro in World Cup 2023, Greece will feel like the strong favorites ahead of their back-to-back matchup.
They stormed through the last Window, and they’ve got pretty much all their best players returning for another run, with Kostas Antetokounmpo, Giannoulis Larentzakis, Alexandros Samodurov, Vasileios Toliopoulos and Nikos Rogkavopoulos all on the preliminary roster.
With motivation to wash off that bitter taste of their last defeat to Montenegro, a game in the acoustic SUNEL Arena, and this kind of lineup, nobody should be surprised if they take the Power Rankings lead next time we talk here.
#3 Germany (-1)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Croatia
We need the “honey, wake up” meme here, because “honey, wake up, Jack Kayil is playing basketball.”
ALBA BERLIN’s rising star is having a breakout year, and is playing like a seasoned veteran, instead of a 20-year-old kid that he is.
The improvement from the start of the season to today is incredible, finishing January with 24 points against Bamberg, 20 against AEK, then starting February with 24 against Trier and 20 against Karditsa. Crazy run right around his 20th bday!
#4 Serbia (=)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Türkiye
Aleksa is back! Aleksa Avramovic is on the list for these two games, and his experience could make all the difference as they take on Türkiye in back-to-back battles.
Keep an eye on Bogoljub Markovic, the 20-year-old from Mega has been unstoppable lately, with a monster performance of 29 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and an efficiency rating of 41 as Mega stunned Crvena Zvezda on February 1.
#5 Spain (=)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Ukraine
The plan is working. Coach Chus Mateo is blending in the experience of Jaime Fernandez, Santi Yusta and other with the younger guys coming through, such as Izan Almansa or Isaac Nogues.
Of course, youngsters and experienced ones need that one glue guy to teach them all about the importance of team-first oriented approach in order to win something. Say, the World Cup.
Enter stage: Pierre Oriola! What a comeback story that is, as the 33-year-old is having his highest scoring Liga Endesa season ever, knocking down an incredible 44.4 percent of three-pointers.
#6 Poland (=)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Latvia
It’s going to be a bit of a guessing game as both Jerrick Harding and Jordan Loyd are on the preliminary roster.
Aside from the two guys capable of scoring 30 at will, there is another interesting name returning to the roster. Igor Milicic Jr is set to fly back home from the United States, where he is playing in the NBA G League with the Delaware Blue Coats, his first season as a pro on that side of the Atlantic after four NCAA years with three different teams.
Unique path, that’s for sure.
#7 Croatia (=)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Germany
PEOPLE! WE’VE GOT A CAPS LOCK SITUATION!
NONE OTHER THAN DARIO SARIC IS ON CROATIA’S ROSTER! THE CAPTAIN OF THE NATIONAL TEAM IS INCLUDED ON THE LIST AFTER BEING TRADED BACK-AND-FORTH OVER THE LAST NBA TRADE DEADLINE, AND IT SEEMS WE GET TO WATCH HIM LEAD CROATIA IN TWO TOUGH FIXTURES WITH GERMANY!
WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE, DARIO SARIC COMING BACK TO BE ANOTHER MENTOR FOR THE HIGH-FLYING 19-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL RUZIC…
OH THOSE TWO GAMES AGAINST GERMANY ARE GONNA BE SO MUCH FUN!
#8 France (+6)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Hungary
Started from the bottom, now we’re all here to watch him play.
At 23 years old, Sylvain Francisco was still playing in the second division in France. At 24, he got his first real taste of the top level, and now, at 28, his meteoric rise has put him in the EuroLeague MVP conversation, since he’s been Zalgiris’ best player of the season, easily.
In fact, we’re such big fans of Sylvain over here that we’re pushing France by six spots based on him playing and nothing else, really.
That’s how we roll over here at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers Smart Power Rankings Headquarters!
#9 Ukraine (-1)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Spain
The only reason they are down a spot is that Spain put together a strong roster for their two games. Oleksandr Kovliar has been one of the breakout stars in the last window, but has seen limited minutes with Buducnost since.
If he can get his groove back, it could be good news for all three parties: his nation, his club, and – most importantly – himself.
You’ve got a gift, Oleks. Time to use it now!
10 Lithuania (+3)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Iceland
You can tell the national team time is coming up, because the litmus paper is changing color. Litmus paper being Ignas Sargiunas.
It’s basically a rule, Rytas Vilnius’ sniper will start playing out of his mind as the time approaches for him to put on the green national team jersey. He had a season-best 27 points against Hapoel Holon in the BCL, then followed it up with 15 points against Neptunas and 16 against Juventus just before the start of the camp.
Sargent Ignas will be there when his troop needs him, no doubt.
#11 Italy (=)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Great Britain
In two months’ time, Amedeo Della Valle will turn 33. Just add his name to the list of players who somehow keep extending their career and grow with each passing season, so much so, we’re talking about the efficiency rating leader of the Italian League here.
Yep. At 21.3 per game, it’s his career-high, too. With plenty of youngsters about to get their first taste of national team basketball, having a guy like Amedeo to guide them is just perfect.
A pair of wins against Team GB and they’ll be in the Top 10 next time around.
#12 Hungary (-3)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. France
Don’t look now, but we could have Hungary among the countries to pick up an international trophy at club level.
Falco Vulcano Energia KC Szombathely are through to the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA Europe Cup, ready to take on Bosna BH Telecom. Why is that relevant for the Power Rankings? Well, because Zoltan Perl has been arguably the MVP of the season in that competition, and his teammate Andras Tanoh Dez also earned a call up to the national team.
Oh, and guess where they’ll play France in Hungary? Pick a point on the map.
Yep. Zoltan Perl’s hometown. Szombathely!
#13 Czechia (-3)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Slovenia
One of these days, Czechia will announce a roster without Tomas Satoransky and Jan Vesely. Not today, though.
The problem is, they are facing a very tough, backs-against-the-wall Slovenia team, which is why we dropped Czechia a few spots back here.
That’s fine, though. We still get to say “whoops, misjudged Czechia again” after they go 2-0 in this Window, too.
#14 Finland (-2)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Belgium
Another window, another chance to remind you that Miika Muurinen will play for Finland.
About the Author
