The Chinese men’s basketball team will start their journey to qualify for the FIBA World Cup 2027 in Group B of the Asian and Oceania qualifiers. They will face familiar rivals Japan, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei. The draw took place on Tuesday in Qatar.
The first stage of qualifiers will feature 16 teams divided into four groups. Each team will play home and away matches in a double round-robin format. The top three teams from each group will advance to the next stage.
In the second stage, 12 teams will be split into two groups. The top three teams from each group, plus the best fourth-place team overall, will qualify for the 2027 World Cup. Host nation Qatar automatically qualifies for the main draw, which will run from August 27 to September 12, 2027.
This World Cup will also serve as a qualification event for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
China’s last World Cup campaign in 2023 ended in disappointment. The team finished with one win and four losses, ranking 29th—the worst result in Chinese basketball World Cup history.
However, Beijing-based sports commentator Zhang Bin believes China’s goals go beyond just qualifying.
“The goal of the Chinese men’s basketball team isn’t merely to qualify for the World Cup but to secure a spot for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics by becoming the top team in Asia at the World Cup,” Zhang told the Global Times.
He stressed the importance of gaining international match experience. Young talents like Zeng Fanbo and 19-year-old Yang Hansen bring hope for the future. As these players develop, expectations for the national team remain high.
The first qualifying window for the 2027 World Cup begins on November 24, 2025.
One of the key matches will be between China and Japan. FIBA has listed this clash as one of the top five must-see games in the Asian qualifiers. China had dominated Japan for decades, with their last defeat dating back to the 1936 Olympics. However, in February 2024, Japan defeated China during the Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers.
Both nations are aiming for the top spot in Group B. According to FIBA, this game will be a battle of pride and momentum. China will be eager to avenge their recent loss.
China has already secured a place in the Asia Cup 2025 main draw. A more stable lineup is forming, combining experienced veterans with young stars like Yang, who declared for the 2025 NBA Draft in April.
Head coach Guo Shiqiang emphasized that China’s short and medium-term focus will be on the Asia Cup, Asian Games, and World Cup qualifiers. The ultimate goal is clear—perform well at the 2027 World Cup and qualify for the 2028 Olympics.
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