Gilas Pilipinas Rivals Revealed as Road to FIBA World Cup 2027 Begins

Philippines Draws Australia, New Zealand and Guam in Qualifying Group for Qatar

The journey to basketball’s biggest global stage begins once again—and for Gilas Pilipinas, the path is anything but easy. After playing host to the FIBA World Cup in 2023, the Philippines now shifts from welcoming the world to fighting for a return ticket to the sport’s most prestigious event.

With the Road to FIBA World Cup 2027 officially underway, the draw for the Asian Qualifiers was held in Doha on May 13, setting the stage for a challenging campaign. Gilas Pilipinas has been drawn into Group A alongside Oceania powerhouses Australia and New Zealand, plus Guam, a team making its debut in this stage of World Cup qualifying.

The first window of games tips off in November 2025, with matches spread across six windows, ending in March 2027. Only seven teams from Asia will emerge from this grueling qualifying process to book their place at the 2027 World Cup, which will be held for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with Qatar serving as host.

Familiar Foes and a Rising Newcomer

From the jump, it’s clear that Gilas Pilipinas has drawn one of the toughest groups in the region.

Australia, a basketball powerhouse and regular World Cup contender, currently sits atop the Asian hierarchy after dominant displays in recent FIBA competitions. The Boomers feature a deep talent pool that includes NBA-caliber athletes, and their physical, fast-paced style will present a stern test for the Filipinos.

New Zealand, meanwhile, brings its own tradition of toughness and team-first basketball. The Tall Blacks have long been a consistent force in Asia-Oceania competitions and are known for their gritty, physical defense and up-tempo offense.

Then there’s Guam—perhaps a lesser-known name in the world of international basketball, but not a team to be taken lightly. Making their debut at this level of FIBA qualifiers, Guam will be playing with something to prove, and their inclusion adds an unpredictable element to Group A.

For Gilas, the message is clear: they’ll need to be ready from the opening tip. There will be no easy games.

A New Chapter After a Tough 2023 Campaign

The Philippines heads into this new qualifying cycle looking to bounce back from a difficult showing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where they finished 24th overall.

Despite the excitement of hosting the event on home soil, Gilas fell short in the group stage, dropping all three matches. However, they did manage to salvage some pride with a win over China in the classification round, a much-needed morale boost for fans and players alike.

Now, under what many expect to be a refreshed leadership and player core, the team has an opportunity to reset, rebuild, and aim higher. The next two years will be critical in forming a cohesive unit capable of handling the physical and mental grind of the qualifiers.

How the Road to Qatar Will Work

The format for the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers is straightforward in theory—but ruthless in execution.

First Round

• The 16 qualified teams will be divided into four groups of four, playing each other home and away over three separate windows.

• The top three teams from each group—except in Qatar’s group, where only the top two (plus Qatar) advance—will move on to the Second Round.

Second Round

• The remaining 12 teams will then be split into two new groups, carrying their records forward from the First Round.

• Each team will play home and away against the three new opponents it didn’t face in the First Round.

• At the end of this phase, the top three teams from each Second Round group, plus the best fourth-placed team across both groups, will qualify for the World Cup.

• Qatar, as hosts, are automatically qualified but will still participate in both rounds.

With so few spots available, every single result matters. A slip-up at home, or a blowout loss on the road, can be the difference between a World Cup berth and sitting at home in 2027.

Qatar Set to Make History

Gilas has long way to go

While Gilas and their Asian rivals fight for their ticket, Qatar is busy preparing to host the global event from August 27 to September 12, 2027.

This marks the first time ever the FIBA World Cup will take place in the MENA region, a significant milestone in the sport’s international expansion. The decision to bring the tournament to Qatar reflects FIBA’s continued push into new markets and builds on the country’s experience hosting large-scale sporting events, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

With state-of-the-art arenas, top-tier hospitality, and a location that serves as a cultural crossroads, Qatar is expected to deliver a memorable tournament.

What’s Next for Gilas Pilipinas?

Between now and November 2025, there’s a lot of work to be done.

Gilas Pilipinas must evaluate its player pool, solidify its coaching staff, and schedule international friendlies that can prepare the team for the style and physicality of Australia and New Zealand. Continuity, chemistry, and development will be key.

There’s also the question of leadership—both on the court and off it. With several veterans nearing the end of their international careers, the next generation of Gilas stars must be ready to step up and take ownership of the program’s future.

And of course, there’s the fan base. Despite recent setbacks, basketball remains deeply rooted in Filipino culture. The passion, noise, and national pride that come with every Gilas game will once again be felt in every arena they play in—from Manila to Melbourne.

The Long Road Begins

So here we are, at the start of another chapter in Gilas Pilipinas’ international journey. The draw has been made, the rivals revealed, and the target set: Qatar 2027.

There will be challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt. But there will also be opportunities—chances to rise, to surprise, and to show the world once more what Filipino basketball is made of.

The countdown to November 2025 is on. The Road to FIBA World Cup 2027 starts now.