Can D’Tigers qualify for the 2027 FIBA World Cup?

Nigeria’s D’Tigers enter the final window of the D’Tigers World Cup qualifiers with 14 points and fourth place in Group E.

Reaching the 2027 FIBA World Cup is still possible, but the margin for error is thin, as Caleb Agada and his teammates probably need to win all three February fixtures, then wait on results elsewhere.

Group E after four windows

The fourth window ended with Cameroon and South Sudan tied on 16 points at the top. Guinea sit third on 15, while Nigeria and Tunisia are level on 14. Cape Verde round out the group on 12.

In August 2026, Nigeria had two different outcomes, as they lost 78 to 62 against Cameroon and again 82 to 79 against South Sudan before winning 100 to 84 against Cape Verde. It was that last victory that kept them in contention for the qualification spots.

Why first-round points still shape the race

FIBA has confirmed that the results from the first round are carried forward into the second round, which is why all the matches played in the opening phase still count.

Nigeria had a record of 4 wins and 2 losses in Group C, earning them 10 points before the second round started. It is because of the rule that carries over the results that the D’Tigers are not beginning Group E from zero, and that their losses in August were damaging but did not eliminate their chances.

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The rule also means point differential can matter. Nigeria finished the first round with a +30 differential after a 106-62 win over Rwanda in Luanda. In a tight group, that margin could separate teams on equal points.

D’Tigers fixtures in the final window

The fifth window runs from 25 to 28 February 2027, and Nigeria face Cameroon on 25 February, South Sudan on 26 February and Cape Verde on 28 February. The host cities and tip-off times had not been confirmed when the programme was published.

The order of fixtures for the 2027 FIBA World Cup matters as Cameroon and South Sudan are the two teams directly above Nigeria in the table.

READ MORE: Can D’Tigers qualify for the 2027 FIBA World Cup? – Sporting Tribune