India’s long-standing dream of making its FIBA World Cup debut will now go through Group D of the 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
The draw, held at the luxurious Al Hazm Mall in Doha, has placed India alongside Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and hosts Qatar—a group that offers both challenges and a realistic path to Round 2.
For Indian basketball, this is a chance to rewrite history. Despite consistent appearances at the FIBA Asia Cup level, the Indian men’s team has never qualified for the Basketball World Cup.
With the 2027 edition scheduled in Qatar—the first time it will be hosted in the Arab world—India will look to make the most of this six-window qualification journey that kicks off on November 24, 2025.
Group D Breakdown
- Lebanon (World Rank: 29) – Group favorites and seasoned performers at the Asian level.
- Saudi Arabia (WR: 65) – Solid but beatable.
- India (WR: 76) – Hungry and building momentum after qualifying for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup.
- Qatar (WR: 87) – Automatically qualified as hosts but will play all matches.
Since Qatar has already secured a World Cup spot, only the top two eligible teams from Group D will progress to the second round. This significantly boosts India’s qualification prospects.
India sports schedule May 2025
With Lebanon tipped to top the group, India’s key battles will be against Saudi Arabia and Qatar—teams within striking range on paper.
Qualification Format – Explained
The Asian qualifiers are split into two rounds:
Round 1
- Teams play each other home and away within their group.
- From Groups A, B, and C, the top 3 teams advance.
- In Group D (with Qatar), only the top 2 eligible teams (excluding Qatar) move on.
Round 2
- 12 qualified teams are re-grouped:
- Group E: Teams from Groups A and C
- Group F: Teams from Groups B and D
- Results from Round 1 carry forward.
- Each team plays the 3 new opponents home and away (6 more games).
World Cup Qualification
- Top 3 teams from Groups E and F qualify.
- The best 4th-placed team across the two groups also makes it to the World Cup.
- Alongside Qatar, Asia/Oceania will send 7 teams to the 2027 World Cup.
Why This is a Golden Chance for India
India’s men’s basketball team has been slowly climbing the ladder in Asia, and 2025 is already off to a positive start with qualification for the FIBA Asia Cup.
The World Cup Qualifiers now offer a longer runway—spanning over a year and six international windows—for India to develop its squad chemistry and tactical strength.
Facing Qatar (WR 87) and Saudi Arabia (WR 65) gives India a real chance to pick up valuable wins. If India can defend its home court and steal at least one away victory, advancing to Round 2 becomes a very realistic goal. And once in Round 2, anything is possible.
What adds to the importance is the carry-forward rule. Wins in Round 1 count in Round 2.
A strong start—say a 4–2 or better record—would put India in genuine contention to fight for the top 3 or best 4th-placed finish in Group F, which will include powerhouses like China, Japan, Korea, and Chinese Taipei.
India’s Key Fixtures to Watch (Expected)
- India vs Lebanon (Home and Away) – A test of India’s growth against Asia’s elite.
- India vs Saudi Arabia – A must-win head-to-head battle for Round 2 qualification.
- India vs Qatar – Hosts are automatically through, but their matches can affect standings.
With the FIBA World Cup also serving as a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the stakes are higher than ever.
India’s campaign is not just about making it to the 2027 World Cup—it’s about establishing a consistent presence on the global stage.
Historic Context
India has never qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in its 19 editions. The team’s most memorable continental performance came in the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup when it upset China.
However, qualification windows offer a different challenge—demanding consistency, depth, and resilience over multiple international breaks.
The 2027 edition will feature 32 nations, and India will look to be among them for the first time ever. This is the third straight World Cup to be hosted in Asia, following the 2019 edition in China and the 2023 tournament shared by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia.
India’s placement in Group D is perhaps its best opportunity in years to break through at the global level. Lebanon will be tough, but the rest of the group is competitive and wide open.
With a young core, increasing exposure to international basketball, and the motivation of a World Cup dream, India has every reason to believe this could be the campaign that changes everything.
The journey to Qatar 2027 begins now. Can India finally make history?
