Brazilian Basketball Team Begins Second Phase of Qualifiers
Team led by Aleksandar Petrovic plays in Brasília after unbeaten campaign in first stage.
The Brazilian men's basketball team starts this Thursday the competition of the second phase of the 2027 World Cup qualifiers. The first fixture of this stage takes place at Arena Nilson Nelson in Brasília, against the Dominican Republic, marking the opening of the fourth preliminary window of the competition.
Unbeaten campaign and new phase
Brazil arrives in the federal capital with 100% record, after winning the six matches it played in the previous stage of the competition. For this new phase, previous results are kept and qualified teams form new brackets. The Brazilian Team is part of Group E, alongside Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico and the United States.
Challenges and format of the competition
In this stage, each team faces, in home-and-away matches, the three opponents that came from the opposite bracket in the first phase. The calendar of this phase includes matches divided across the August and November 2026 windows, as well as February 2027. At the end of the fixtures, the top three places of each group qualify directly for the World Cup, while the seventh continental spot will go to the fourth-placed team with the best campaign.
Preparation and fan expectations
Before the clash against the Dominicans, the Brazilian delegation carried out preparation activities in Brasília, which included a visit to the city’s cathedral. The athletes and coaching staff highlight the importance of fan support at Arena Nilson Nelson, a venue that recorded large crowds during the national basketball season and now welcomes the return of the green‑yellow team.
Call‑up and absences
Coach Aleksandar Petrovic has 16 players listed for this qualifiers window. The main absence for the team is point‑guard Gui Santos, who was not released by the Golden State Warriors due to NBA pre‑season. On the other hand, the list of call‑ups includes the return of Raulzinho Neto and maintains the core that won the AmeriCup title and played the Olympics.
With information from Lance!, Liga Nacional de Basquete, Correio Braziliense.
Source: Lance!, Liga Nacional de Basquete, Correio Braziliense