FIBA World Cup Power Rankings
With the FIBA World Cup set to kick off on Friday, we’ve compiled a preliminary power rankings of the national teams heading into the first matches of group-stage play.
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1. USA
FIBA rank: 2
Best finish: 1st (1954, 1986, 1994, 2010, 2014)
With none of the nine Americans that made an All-NBA team last season on the roster for the World Cup, Team USA will need someone to step up and be a superstar in order to live up to its always-lofty expectations. It seems clear that Anthony Edwards will get first crack at the role, and he can use the event as a stepping stone to a monster pro campaign in 2023-24.
2. Spain
FIBA rank: 1
Best finish: 1st (2006, 2019)
La Roja lost to Team USA in friendlies at home in Spain, letting the Americans catch fire from the field. But the basketball powerhouse still fields a deep and experienced roster that is ready to repeat as World Cup champions. While mainstay Ricky Rubio stepped away from the team to focus on his mental health, the Spanish team should not be counted out to win the whole thing again.
3. France
FIBA rank: 5
Best finish: 3rd (2014, 2019)
France’s strength clearly lies in its frontcourt, with menacing defender Rudy Gobert and NBA veteran Nicolas Batum alongside EuroLeague stars Guerschon Yabusele and Mathias Lessort. The guards are a slight concern, though, as Evan Fournier will need to take on a bulk of the playmaking without a clear option at point guard. Former No. 31 pick Elie Okobo is the X-factor if he’s able to handle the duties of running the offense.
4. Canada
FIBA rank: 15th
Best finish: 6th (1978, 1982)
Can Canada finally have its international breakthrough? The nation has been the most represented country in the NBA outside of the United States for nine straight years. However, Canada has yet to qualify for the Olympics since 2000 and hasn’t been close to a World Cup podium. Despite the absence of Jamal Murray, the team has a chance to write a new chapter this summer with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett leading the way.
5. Australia
FIBA rank: 3
Best finish: 4th (2019)
Coming off their best showing ever in 2019, the Aussies are looking for their first podium finish in program history. Although not as deep at center as before, Australia is ready for medal contention with a roster featuring returning players Joe Ingles and Patty Mills, along with Josh Giddey, Josh Green, and Matisse Thybulle, who will make their debut at the World Cup along the perimeter.
6. Slovenia
FIBA rank: 7
Best finish: 7th (2014)
Slovenia’s national basketball program has reached new heights with Luka Doncic leading the way. The team captured its maiden EuroBasket title in 2017 and finished fourth at the Olympics just two years ago. Nine of the 12 players that suited up in Tokyo are back, including the Dallas Mavericks superstar. An inaugural World Cup podium finish isn’t out of the question, especially with a fairly manageable path to the knockout stages.
7. Germany
FIBA rank: 11
Best finish: 3rd (2002)
Equaling its bronze medal in 2002 – when the team was led by little-known talent Dirk Nowitzki – would be a major triumph for Germany, which hasn’t finished in the top half of the tournament since coming eighth in 2006. The podium could be a stretch, but the Germans are entering this year’s competition with some merited optimism. Dennis Schroder looked stellar in their six pre-tourney exhibitions, during which their only two losses came against the U.S. and Canada.
8. Serbia
FIBA rank: 6
Best finish: 1st as FR Yugoslavia (1998, 2002)
Serbia missing two-time MVP and NBA champion Nikola Jokic is arguably the biggest loss among any team in the tournament. Much like the Nuggets, Serbia’s offense flows through Jokic at all times. The star role now falls on Hawks wing Bogdan Bogdanovic, who leads a roster that isn’t full of recognizable names in North America as many of them play at the highest level in Europe.
9. Lithuania
FIBA rank: 8
Best finish: 3rd (2010)
In five trips to the FIBA World Cup as an independent nation, Lithuania has never finished worse than ninth – an impressive run considering the country’s relatively tiny population of around just 2.8 million. That streak could be in jeopardy this time around, however. While they have center Jonas Valanciunas, the Lithuanians will be without three-time NBA All-Star Domantas Sabonis, who’s recovering from a thumb injury.
10. Italy
FIBA rank: 10
Best finish: 4th (1970, 1978)
Italy should still make it out of the group stage despite losing Paolo Banchero to the United States. The Azzurri feature a good mix of youth and veterans that could potentially challenge for a medal. Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio has been Italy’s top offensive option during exhibition play, leading the country to wins over China, Serbia, and Greece in the past few weeks.
11. Dominican Republic
FIBA rank: 23
Best finish: 12th (1978)
It’s been a decade since Karl-Anthony Towns suited up for the Dominican Republic. The three-time All-Star is joining a core that stunned Argentina on its home floor to clinch a World Cup berth.
12. Finland
FIBA rank: 24
Best finish: 22nd (2014)
In a strong group featuring Germany, Australia, and Japan, Finland touts the best player – NBA MIP Lauri Markkanen. The Wolf Pack are looking to improve on their 1-4 showing in the 2014 World Cup.
13. Greece
FIBA rank: 9
Best finish: 2nd (2006)
Losing Giannis Antetokounmpo is a massive blow, especially considering Greece’s main opponent in the group stage – Team USA. But with a good roster still remaining, the squad should reach the final rounds.
14. Brazil
FIBA rank: 13
Best finish: 1st (1959, 1963)
Being the highest-ranked team on our list to not roster an NBA player says a lot about Brazil’s system and how potent the combination of Yago dos Santos and former Toronto Raptor Bruno Caboclo can be.
15. Latvia
FIBA rank: 29
Best finish: N/A – First FIBA World Cup appearance
Latvia likely wouldn’t have qualified for the World Cup without Kristaps Porzingis, and the team will now have to play the event without him, as the new Celtics forward is dealing with a foot injury.
16. Montenegro
FIBA rank: 18
Best finish: 25th (2019)
Nikola Vucevic is the clear superstar for the tiny Balkan nation, and naturalized point guard Kendrick Perry gives the squad a dependable backcourt option to pair with him in the pick-and-roll.
17. Puerto Rico
FIBA rank: 20
Best finish: 4th (1990)
A quietly good team, Puerto Rico beat the revamped Dominican Republic at home and lost to Team USA in Vegas in warmups. South Sudan, Serbia, and China must be overcome to move forward.
18. Georgia
FIBA rank: 32
Best finish: N/A – First FIBA World Cup appearance
Georgia is making its World Cup debut. While the country doesn’t have too many recognizable names, the team knocked off Spain in a World Cup qualifier and dropped 102 points on Lithuania in a tuneup game.
19. China
FIBA rank: 27th
Best finish: 8th (1994)
China got a big boost by adding Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson into the fold. In a tough Group B featuring Serbia, Puerto Rico, and South Sudan, things will get interesting.
20. Philippines
FIBA rank: 40
Best finish: 3rd (1954)
The Philippines is one of three tournament co-hosts, and the team is slated to play all its games on home soil thanks to the schedule format. That, plus finally having fan-favorite Jordan Clarkson, could make the country a dark horse for a deep run.
21. Japan
FIBA rank: 36
Best finish: 11th (1967)
Like the Philippines, Japan is set to play at home for Rounds 1 and 2, but its opening group presents a considerably tougher test with Finland, Germany, and Australia. No Rui Hachimura means Yuta Watanabe is the only player with NBA experience.
22. South Sudan
FIBA rank: 62
Best finish: N/A – First FIBA World Cup appearance
South Sudan has only been a FIBA member since 2013, but the team boasts a couple familiar NBA names. Luol Deng is the head of the federation, and former NBA journeyman Royal Ivey is head coach of a squad featuring Lakers big Wenyen Gabriel.
23. New Zealand
FIBA rank: 26
Best finish: 4th (2002)
The Tall Blacks are unquestionably underdogs in a group headlined by the United States. However, they’ve got the offensive firepower and roster continuity to potentially cause some havoc.
24. Venezuela
FIBA rank: 17
Best finish: 11th (1990)
Venezuela has struggled in exhibition play leading up to this summer’s showpiece tournament. Six players return from its 2015 AmeriCup championship team, and they’ll be relied upon to advance past the group stage.
25. Mexico
FIBA rank: 31
Best finish: 8th (1967)
After a playoff run in 2014, Mexico is looking to replicate some of that magic this go-around. The path to reach the same destination will go through Egypt, Lithuania, and Montenegro in Group D.
26. Cape Verde
FIBA rank: 64
Best finish: N/A – First FIBA World Cup appearance
One of four World Cup debutants (along with Georgia, South Sudan, and Latvia), Cape Verde will be led by Walter “Edy” Tavares, a 7-foot-3 EuroLeague titan for Real Madrid with recent stints in the NBA.
27. Angola
FIBA rank: 41
Best finish: 9th (2006)
Despite failing to reach the podium in the last two AfroBasket competitions, Angola is still considered one of Africa’s top sides. Its World Cup goal is to simply outperform its continental counterparts, thereby automatically qualifying for the Olympics.
28. Egypt
FIBA rank: 55
Best finish: 5th (1950)
Egypt, with Canadian head coach Roy Rana, is making its first World Cup appearance since 2014, when the team went 0-5 and ranked last out of all 24 teams. The draw again did them no favors, pitting them against Mexico, Montenegro, and Lithuania in Group D.
29. Jordan
FIBA rank: 33
Best finish: 23rd (2010)
Playing 13 friendly competitions before the tournament might pay dividends, helping Jordan prepare to compete with Team USA, Greece, and New Zealand in Group C. Getting former NBA player Rondae Hollis-Jefferson should help as well.
30. Lebanon
FIBA rank: 43
Best finish: 16th (2002)
Lebanon is looking to build on last year’s FIBA Asia Cup, where the team fell 75-73 to Australia in the championship game. They’ll be relying on the shot-making of Wael Arakji and naturalized citizen Omari Spellman.
31. Iran
FIBA rank: 22
Best finish: 19th (2010)
While 7-foot-2 center Hamed Haddadi played five seasons in the NBA, he has lost a significant step at age 38. As evidenced by a 2-6 record in preparation games, it could be a tough tournament for Iran.
32. Cote D’Ivoire
FIBA rank: 42
Best finish: 13th (1982, 1986)
Cote d’Ivoire’s two stars during the African qualifiers were naturalized players, neither of whom are on the roster for the World Cup, and leaving the team without a go-to option.
