Schedule for the Second Stage of 2027 World Cup Qualification
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has released the calendar for the second round of European qualification for the 2027 World Cup. Ukraine, which has advanced to Group I, will face Spain, Georgia, Montenegro, Portugal, and Greece. This stage is crucial as only the top three teams from the group will secure a spot in the final tournament in Qatar. The second qualification phase kicks off on August 28, 2026, with Ukraine playing a nominally home game against Greece.
According to the schedule, Ukraine will play two matches each against Greece, Montenegro, and Portugal. The first games take place on August 28, 2026, featuring Ukraine vs. Greece, Spain vs. Portugal, and Georgia vs. Montenegro. The next round of matches is set for August 31, 2026, with Ukraine traveling to face Montenegro, along with games between Greece and Spain, and Portugal and Georgia.
Group I Match Schedule
The full schedule for Group I is as follows:
- August 28, 2026:
- Spain vs. Portugal
- Ukraine vs. Greece
- Georgia vs. Montenegro
- August 31, 2026:
- Greece vs. Spain
- Montenegro vs. Ukraine
- Portugal vs. Georgia
- November 26, 2026:
- Montenegro vs. Spain
- Portugal vs. Ukraine
- Greece vs. Georgia
- November 29, 2026:
- Spain vs. Greece
- Ukraine vs. Montenegro
- Georgia vs. Portugal
- February 26, 2027:
- Portugal vs. Spain
- Greece vs. Ukraine
- Montenegro vs. Georgia
- March 1, 2027:
- Spain vs. Montenegro
- Ukraine vs. Portugal
- Georgia vs. Greece
Ukraine enters the second qualification stage with a record of 4 wins and 2 losses. The current standings in Group I at the start of this phase are: Spain – 5 wins, 1 loss; Ukraine – 4 wins, 2 losses; Montenegro – 4 wins, 2 losses; Portugal – 3 wins, 3 losses; Greece – 3 wins, 3 losses; Georgia – 3 wins, 3 losses. The top three teams from the group will earn tickets to the 2027 World Cup finals, which will be held in Qatar.
The second stage of qualification is highly significant for Ukraine, as only the three best teams from Group I will advance to the World Cup. Importantly, the Ukrainian team has solid prospects, having already secured 4 wins in the previous round. Upcoming matches against strong opponents like Spain and Greece could be decisive for their continued progress in the tournament.
As Ukraine prepares for the upcoming matches in the second stage of the qualifiers, it's worth noting their impressive journey so far. The team's recent performance has been commendable, showcasing their determination and skill. For a closer look at how Ukraine's men's basketball team has progressed in the qualification rounds, check out this detailed report on their advancement in the tournament and their key victories.