Georgia to face Ukraine in FIBA World Cup Qualifier
2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification continues today as the Georgia national basketball team takes on the Ukraine national basketball team in Latvia. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. local time.
Georgia prepared for the qualifier in Latvia, where the team played warm-up matches against Angola and Latvia. Team captain Tornike Shengelia, who recently completed a demanding club season, did not feature in those friendlies but is available for today’s game.
The squad has also been reinforced by the return of Goga Bitadze and Beka Burjanadze. Burjanadze has recovered from an injury that sidelined him since February, while Bitadze rejoins the national team after missing previous international windows due to NBA commitments.
Sandro Mamukelashvili will not play. Having recently become a free agent, he is currently in negotiations with NBA clubs, and without an active club contract, obtaining the required insurance for national team duty is not legally possible.
Group A standings
After four games:
- Spain national basketball team – 4 wins, 0 losses
- Georgia – 2 wins, 2 losses
- Ukraine – 2 wins, 2 losses
- Denmark national basketball team – 0 wins, 4 losses
Spain and Georgia have already secured places in the second qualifying round, while Ukraine is also well positioned to advance.
The second group stage will be played in August and November 2026 and February 2027, with teams facing only opponents they have not previously played. The top three teams from each of the four second-round groups will qualify for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Georgia made its World Cup debut at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, advancing to the second round after victories over Cape Verde and Venezuela before finishing in 16th place overall.
The 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be held in Qatar from August 27 to September 12, 2027, with 32 national teams competing. Europe has been allocated 12 qualification places.