Israel Advances to Second Round of 2027 Basketball World Cup Qualifiers Amid Tough Competition

Israel's national basketball team secured advancement to the second round of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers after finishing the first group stage with a 6-4 record. Despite qualifying, Israel's chances of reaching the World Cup itself are increasingly slim following a recent loss to Croatia. The first stage concluded with Croatia and Germany both leading at 1-5, Israel in third place at 4-2, and Cyprus last at 0-6.

In the next phase, Israel will carry over its record and face three new opponents from a parallel group consisting of Latvia, Poland, and the Netherlands. Each team will play two games against each new opponent, with the top three teams by combined record advancing to the World Cup. The second round will begin in August 2026 and continue through November 2026 and March 2027. The World Cup is scheduled to start on August 27, 2027, in Qatar.

Poland, ranked 19th globally by FIBA, has twice participated in the World Cup, with a notable quarterfinal appearance in 2019. Their key player is Jordan Loyd, formerly of Maccabi Tel Aviv. Latvia, ranked 13th globally, made a strong showing in the 2023 World Cup, reaching the quarterfinals before losing narrowly to Germany. Their leading player is Rihards Lomažs. The Netherlands, ranked 51st globally, last qualified for the World Cup in 1986 and has struggled in recent European competitions. Their standout player is 24-year-old Kay van der Werf.

Historically, Israel has qualified for the World Cup only twice, in 1954 and 1986, and has missed the last nine tournaments. The team has set qualifying for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar as a key goal. The tournament will feature 32 teams, with 12 spots allocated to European teams, including Israel's region.

The format emphasizes the importance of every game, as records from the first round carry over, making each match critical for Israel's hopes to reach the World Cup.