Canada one step away from 2027 FIBA World Cup after 8-0 start in Americas Qualifiers
The Canadian men’s national team have done everything in their power to book an early spot at the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
To formally clinch they still have a little bit of work to do, but after coming back from a 17-point deficit to beat a tough Argentina team at the FIBA Americas Qualifiers, it would take several small miracles for Canada to miss out.
The 97-92 win in Quebec City was a testament to the program’s depth of talent with some of the country’s familiar cast of players—such as Shai Gilegous-Alexander, RJ Barrett, and Dillon Brooks—out of the lineup for Monday’s matchup.
In their place, soon-to-be NBA teammates with the Atlanta Hawks, Luguentz Dort and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, combined for 51 points on 16/30 shooting from the field. They also received solid play from Marcus Carr, a pro in the Italian League who started at point guard and added 14 points, and big man Mfiondu Kabengele, a centre who plays overseas in Dubai who delivered a double-double.
No matter the lineup Canada has rolled out during this lengthy qualifying tournament, the team has always risen to the challenge.
The FIBA Americas Qualifiers started back in November 2025 with 16 teams competing. Four teams were eliminated after playing six games. The remaining six games for each team will determine the seven representatives from the Americas that will compete at Qatar 2027.
Now with eight games under their belt, Canada is the only team in the Americas Qualifiers with an undefeated record. They currently have a two-point lead over Uruguay and Argentina for first place in Group F.
Had the Bahamas, who sit in fourth place in Group F with a 4-4 record, lost to Panama on Monday night, Canada would have officially punched their ticket to the 2027 FIBA World Cup. Alas, they have to wait just a little bit longer, until the next window of games in late November.
It would take Canada losing all four of their remaining games, and a series of unfavourable results from the other group games for Canada not to qualify in the next window.
In others words, they are probably feeling good about their chances, considering the results thus far.
The FIBA World Cup will take place August 27-September 12, 2027. Only Türkiye, who also has an 8-0 record in the FIBA European Qualifiers, has so far clinched a spot through a qualifying tournament after they beat Iceland on Monday. The host nation Qatar receives an automatic berth. That leaves 30 spots still to be determined.
Canada is the defending bronze medallists in the FIBA World Cup after a dramatic win over the U.S. in the 2023 third-place match.
The FIBA World Cup also serves as a qualification tournament on the road to the ultimate prize: a chance to win an Olympic medal at Los Angeles 2028. The top two teams from the Americas—excluding the United States which is already qualified as the host nation—will secure their spots at LA 2028. There will also be Olympic spots awarded to the top two teams from Europe and the top team from each of Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
The penultimate window of games in the Americas Qualifiers will take place as the NBA season is in full swing, so Canada will likely once again rely on its depth to officially clinch a World Cup spot.
On November 26, Canada will face Uruguay (currently in second place in Group F at 6-2) and will then rematch with Argentina on November 29. Just one win guarantees their spot at the World Cup in 2027.
