Players to watch: FIBA World Cup qualifying games

After a disappointing medal-less performance at the 2024 Olympics, Canada is focused on this cycle of international events.

France wants to win its first Olympic gold medal in men’s basketball at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games. Serbia wants gold, too, as does Germany. All three countries are looking to end the United States’ run of five consecutive gold medals, and France and Serbia came close but did not succeed at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

That’s why the NBA’s Victor Wembanyama of France, Nikola

Jokić

of Serbia and Dennis

Schröder

of Germany are scheduled to play in 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying games this week in Europe.

The primary path to the Olympics runs through the World Cup, and qualifying for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar takes place during six windows from November 2025 through March 2, 2027.

The next set of qualifying games for FIBA Americas, FIBA Europe, FIBA Africa and FIBA Asia/Oceania is Aug. 27-31. You can view the World Cup qualifying schedule, standings and streaming information here.

Here are the teams and players to watch in the August qualifying games. (Note: Some players listed are on preliminary training camp rosters and are not guaranteed to play in this window).

United States

The USA wants to play in the FIBA World Cup and is on track, but keep in mind that, as host country of the 2028 Olympics, it qualifies automatically for that event. The U.S. is 5-1 and in second place in Group E of FIBA Americas World Cup qualifying.

USA roster

: Jaron Blossomgame, Pedro Bradshaw, Garrison Brooks, Darius Brown, Kevon Harris, Mike James, DeJon Jarreau, Dillon Jones, James Nunnally, Orlando Robinson, Tyler Smith, Cole Swider

France

France, a silver medalist at the 2024 Olympics, is in a strong position to qualify for the 2027 World Cup at 5-1 and in first place in Group L. Winning gold at the World Cup and the Olympics is France’s goal.

Players to watch

: San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert, Sacramento Kings’ Maxime Raynaud, Evan Fournier

Serbia

Serbia won bronze at the 2024 Olympics and had the U.S. on the ropes in the semifinals in Paris that year. In third place in Group J behind Turkey and Italy and just ahead of Lithuania and Iceland, Serbia needs victories in this qualifying window.

: Denver Nuggets’ Nikola

, Miami Heat’s Nikola

Jović

Spain

Spain is trying to regain its medal-contending status following success with Pau and Marc Gasol, Ricky Rubio, Juan Carlos Navarro, Rudy Fernández and Sergio Llull.

: Dallas Mavericks’ Santi Aldama, Boston Celtics’ Hugo

González

, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Aday Mara, Juancho Hernangomez, Willy Hernangomez

Germany

Germany won the 2023 FIBA World Cup and lost to Serbia in the bronze medal game at the 2024 Paris Olympics. At 5-1 in Group K of the FIBA World Cup qualifying games, Germany is getting closer to clinching a spot in the World Cup.

: Charlotte Hornets’ Dennis

, Orlando Magic’s Tristan da Silva, Daniel Theis

Canada

After a disappointing medal-less performance at the 2024 Olympics, Canada is focused on this cycle of international events and trying to capitalize on the most talented players the nation has had. Canada is 6-0 and in first place in Group F.

: Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Atlanta Hawks’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks’ Lu Dort, Kelly Olynyk

South Sudan

South Sudan made an impact with its play at the 2024 Paris Olympics, beating Puerto Rico and playing tough in losses against the U.S. and Serbia. Former NBA player Luol Deng is the president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation, and former NBA player Royal Ivey is the men’s senior coach. South Sudan is 4-2 and in a tough group with Cameroon, Tunisia and Nigeria.

: Peter Jok, Wenyen Gabriel

Nigeria

Nigeria is coached by former NBA coach David Fizdale and has multiple current and former NBA players who could play for the country in this window and future games. Nigeria is 4-2 in group play.

: Utah Jazz’s Josh Okogie, Chimezie Metu

Australia

It does not appear that all of Australia’s top players, such as Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels, will play in this window. But at 6-0, Australia is atop Group E and moving toward a World Cup berth. Australia won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but has never medaled in the World Cup.

: Dash Daniels

Japan

Japan has played in the past two World Cups but has not advanced past the first round.

: Los Angeles Clippers’ Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Clippers’ Yuki Kawamura

Other players worth noting:

Finland

: Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen

Bosnia and Herzegovina

: Utah Jazz’s

Jusuf Nurkić

Croatia

: Indiana Pacers’ Ivica Zubac, Cleveland Cavaliers’ Mario Hezonja, Dario Saric

Georgia

: Los Angeles Lakers’ Sandro Mamukelashvili, Orlando Magic’s Goga Bitadze

Italy

: Miami Heat’s Simone Fontecchio

Portugal

: Boston Celtics’ Neemias Queta

Sweden

: Miami Heat’s Pelle Larsson, Bobi Klintman

Turkey

: Philadelphia 76ers’ Adem Bona, Cedi Osman, Omer Yurtseven, Malachi Flynn

Ukraine

: Utah Jazz’s Svi Mykhailiuk, Alex Len

Argentina

: Facundo Campazzo, Leandro Bolmaro

Bahamas

: Washington Wizards’ Deandre Ayton, Atlanta Hawks’ Buddy Hield, Eric Gordon

Brazil

: Bruno Caboclo, Raul Neto

Dominican Republic

: New York Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns, Golden State Warriors’ Al Horford

Puerto Rico

: New York Knicks’ Jose Alvarado, Minnesota Timberwolves’ Enrique Freeman

***

Jeff Zillgitt has covered the NBA since 2008. You can email him at

jzillgitt@nba.com

, find

his archive here

and

follow him on X

.