Newsletters
Türkiye's men's national basketball team became the first side to qualify for the 2027 FIBA World Cup on Monday, defeating Iceland 110-73 on the road to extend its winning streak to eight games.
The victory, in the second round of the FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers, secured Türkiye's berth in the tournament before any other national team had done so.
Playing at Laugardalsholl Sports Center in Reykjavik, Türkiye built a commanding 33-14 lead by the end of the first quarter, powered by a combined 24 points from captain Cedi Osman and guard Malachi Flynn. The team pulled further ahead in the second quarter behind 15 points from Onuralp Bitim, taking a 60-37 lead into halftime.
Türkiye maintained its control after the break, entering the fourth quarter with an 80-56 advantage before closing out the 110-73 win.
The result made Türkiye the first nation to qualify for the FIBA 2027 World Cup through the European Qualifiers. The team finished the tournament's first round atop its group with a perfect 6-0 record, then carried that momentum into round two, in which teams retain their win-loss records from the opening phase.
With Monday's win marking its second victory of the second round, and eighth in eight qualifying games overall, Türkiye clinched qualification while remaining at the top of Group J. It will be the sixth time the Turkish men's national team has competed in the FIBA World Cup.
Türkiye is now the only remaining unbeaten team in the second round of the 2027 World Cup European Qualifiers, after Poland, competing in Group K, suffered its first loss of the campaign.
Türkiye is scheduled to play its next qualifier on the road against Italy on Nov. 26, before returning home to host Iceland on Nov. 29.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
