FIBA has officially released preliminary squads for the 2027 FIBA World Cup European qualifiers, offering a first glimpse at the talent pool expected to battle for a spot in the tournament. The announcements come ahead of the first qualifying window, set to take place later this year, and feature a mix of established NBA stars, EuroLeague veterans, and emerging prospects.

The 2027 FIBA World Cup is scheduled to be held in Qatar, marking the first time the tournament will take place in the Middle East. The European qualifiers will be highly competitive, with multiple rounds of group play determining which nations advance to the final stage. For many teams, these preliminary rosters are a chance to test depth and build chemistry before the competitive games begin.

Notable Selections and Omissions

The most striking headline is the presence of several NBA All-Stars in the preliminary squads. France boasts a formidable trio with Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert, and Evan Fournier, all expected to lead the team through the qualifiers. Serbia\'s Nikola Jokic, the reigning NBA Finals MVP, is also listed, as is Germany\'s Dennis Schroder, Italy\'s Simone Fontecchio, Spain\'s Santi Aldama, Croatia\'s Mario Hezonja, and Finland\'s Lauri Markkanen.

Equally significant is the list of absentees. Giannis Antetokounmpo will not suit up for Greece, while Slovenia\'s Luka Doncic is also missing. Turkey will be without Alperen Sengun and Tarik Biberovic, Germany\'s Franz Wagner and Mo Wagner are unavailable, and Lithuania is notably missing both Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas. Other high-profile absences include Israel\'s Deni Avdija, Latvia\'s Kristaps Porzingis, and Serbia\'s Bogdan Bogdanovic, Filip Petrusev, and Vasilije Micic. France also left out Elie Okobo and Guerschon Yabusele.

Qualifying Context

The European qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup will be played across several windows, with teams divided into groups. The top teams from each group will advance to the next stage, eventually earning berths in the final tournament in Qatar. These preliminary squads are often expanded rosters, with final cuts made closer to the games. Coaches are using this period to evaluate players, manage injuries, and build rotation patterns.

The inclusion of star players like Jokic and Wembanyama signals that many nations are prioritizing World Cup qualification, even as some key names rest. This creates opportunities for lesser-known players to step up and make an impact on the international stage. The following is a breakdown of the preliminary squads announced so far, country by country.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Bosnia-Herzegovina\'s preliminary squad features a mix of domestic and international talent. Edin Atic and Amar Gegic are expected to lead the backcourt, while Jusuf Nurkic and Kenan Kamenjas provide size in the paint. Luka Garza, the 2021 NCAA Player of the Year, adds a scoring punch. The roster also includes experienced forward Mico Milovanovic and rising guard Xavier Castaneda.

Croatia

Croatia brings a strong roster led by Mario Hezonja and Dario Saric. Ivica Zubac anchors the center position, while Jaleen Smith and Dominik Mavra handle ball-handling duties. Young prospects like Danko Brankovic and Mateo Dreznjak add depth on the wings. Croatia will look to build on its recent competitive performances in European basketball.

Estonia

Estonia\'s preliminary list includes several familiar names from the Baltic basketball scene. Maik-Kalev Kotsar, Siim-Sander Vene, and Henrik Drell provide experience, while teenage talent like Markus Ilver and Kasper Suurorg could earn playing time. Estonia remains a developing basketball nation but has shown steady progress in recent years.

Finland

Finland\'s preliminary squad is yet to be confirmed. The Finnish Basketball Federation has not announced its roster, but Lauri Markkanen is widely expected to be included. The team will rely heavily on its NBA star to lead the offense, with support from a core of domestic league players.

France

France\'s preliminary squad is stacked with talent. Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert, and Evan Fournier headline the list, while Silvain Francisco, Nadir Hifi, and Matthew Strazel provide guard depth. The frontcourt is bolstered by Jaylen Hoard and Maxime Raynaud, and the roster includes versatile wing Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. France is one of the favorites to top its qualifying group.

Georgia

Georgia\'s preliminary squad is anchored by Tornike Shengelia, one of the best power forwards in European basketball. Goga Bitadze, recently an NBA role player, adds rim protection. Backcourt play comes from Marcquise Reed and Rati Andronikashvili. Georgia has become a consistent presence in international competition and aims to reach the World Cup for the first time.

Germany

Germany announced a deep preliminary squad that includes Dennis Schroder, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Daniel Theis. The team has been on the rise since winning the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and the return of Schroder and Theis ensures continuity. Young players like Tristan da Silva and Malte Delow add fresh energy. The absence of the Wagner brothers leaves a scoring void, but Germany remains formidable.

Greece

Greece will be missing Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the preliminary squad still has plenty of talent. Kostas Papanikolaou, Nick Calathes, and Tyler Dorsey are veterans who can control games. Thanasis Antetokounmpo provides defensive intensity, while Dinos Mitoglou is a reliable scorer. Greece will need a collective effort to compensate for Giannis\' absence.

Hungary

Hungary\'s preliminary squad features a blend of local and imported talent. Zoltan Perl is the team\'s offensive leader, while Adam Somogyi and Gyorgy Goloman provide frontcourt size. Nathan Reuvers, an American-born forward, adds athleticism. Hungary will be an underdog but could surprise stronger teams in the qualifiers.

Iceland

Iceland\'s preliminary squad is also yet to be announced. The team has lacked star power in recent years but has shown resilience in European championships. The qualifiers will be a test of Iceland\'s basketball infrastructure and player development.

Israel

Israel\'s preliminary squad is led by Yam Madar and Tamir Blatt, both of whom have European experience. Khadeen Carrington is a dynamic scorer, while Roman Sorkin and Itay Segev provide size. Deni Avdija is absent, which is a significant blow, but Israel still has enough talent to compete.

Italy

Italy\'s preliminary squad includes Simone Fontecchio, who has been a reliable scorer in the NBA. Nicolo Melli and Amedeo Tessitori bring experience in the frontcourt, while Nico Mannion and Matteo Spagnolo lead the backcourt. The team is deep and well-coached and will be one of the contenders from the group stage.

Latvia

Latvia\'s preliminary squad is solid even without Kristaps Porzingis. Arturs Zagars and Kristers Zoriks are skilled guards, while Rodions Kurucs is a versatile forward. The team has shown strong teamwork in recent tournaments and will rely on a balanced attack.

Lithuania

Lithuania\'s preliminary squad notably lacks Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas, leaving a hole in the frontcourt. Donatas Motiejunas and Azuolas Tubelis are expected to fill the void. The backcourt is led by Augustas Marciulionis and Kristupas Zemaitis. Lithuania remains a basketball powerhouse despite the absence of its NBA stars.

Montenegro

Montenegro\'s preliminary squad is headlined by Yogi Ferrell, a former NBA guard, and Bojan Tomasevic, a veteran forward. The team also includes Marko Simonovic, who has NBA experience. Montenegro will aim to qualify for its first World Cup appearance as an independent nation.

Netherlands

The Netherlands\' preliminary squad features a mix of experienced players and young prospects. Yannick Franke and Charlon Kloof lead the backcourt, while Rienk Mast provides size. Keye Van der Vuurst de Vries is a promising playmaker. The team will need to exceed expectations to advance.

Poland

Poland\'s preliminary squad includes Aleksander Balcerowski, who has impressed in the EuroLeague, and Jordan Loyd, a naturalized American guard. Mateusz Ponitka brings leadership and experience. Poland surprised many by reaching the quarterfinals of EuroBasket 2022 and will look to carry that momentum.

Portugal

Portugal\'s preliminary squad is led by Neemias Queta, the first Portuguese player to reach the NBA. Travante Williams and Diogo Brito are key contributors on the perimeter. The team has improved significantly in recent years and could be a dark horse in the qualifying rounds.

Serbia

Serbia\'s preliminary squad is anchored by Nikola Jokic, the league\'s best player. Other notable names include Nikola Jovic, Marko Guduric, and Aleksa Avramovic. The team has excellent depth, with big men Nikola Milutinov and Dusan Ristic providing size. Serbia is a strong favorite to qualify for the World Cup.

Slovenia

Slovenia\'s preliminary squad is without Luka Doncic, but the roster still includes experienced players like Klemen Prepelic, Ziga Samar, and Alen Omic. The team will rely on a disciplined system and three-point shooting. Slovenia impressed at EuroBasket 2024 and remains a competitive side.

Spain

Spain\'s preliminary squad is loaded with talent. Santi Aldama, Juancho Hernangomez, and Willy Hernangomez give the team strong frontcourt options. Alvaro Cardenas and Alberto Diaz are skilled guards, while Izan Almansa is a promising young power forward. Spain is always a contender in international basketball.

Sweden

Sweden\'s preliminary squad features Bobi Klintman, who has the potential to be a future NBA player. Viktor Gaddefors and Ludde Hakanson provide veteran leadership. Sweden will be a tough opponent, especially at home, but faces a challenging group.

Turkey

Turkey\'s preliminary squad is missing Alperen Sengun and Tarik Biberovic, but still has talent like Cedi Osman, Furkan Korkmaz, and Onuralp Bitim. The team also includes young big man Omer Faruk Yurtseven. Turkey\'s depth on the wings will be key to its qualifying campaign.

Ukraine

Ukraine\'s preliminary squad is led by Svi Mykhailiuk, the only active NBA player on the team. Oleksandr Kovliar and Denys Lukashov are experienced guards, while Alex Len provides size. Ukraine has shown resilience despite the challenges facing the country, and the team will fight for a World Cup berth.

Source: MSN News