The completion of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers brought very little change in the top 20 of the latest FIBA World Ranking Men.
Spain and Team USA remained on top (No.1 and No.2, respectively, with the Spaniards defending their first place obtained in November 2022.
The only move in a stable top 20 was Puerto Rico going up one spot in the FIBA World Ranking Men to number 20 after clinching its spot in the Basketball World Cup from the Americas Qualifiers.
The Dominican Republic jumped two spots to 23 as they also qualified for the Basketball World Cup with two decisive wins in Window 6. 2023 Basketball World Cup co-hosts Japan went up one ranking to 36th while Cote d’Ivoire is now at No. 42.
🚨 Men's World Ranking Update 🚨
As #FIBAWC Qualifiers wrap up, Spain 🇪🇸 hold onto the first spot in the newest edition Men's World Ranking, presented by @Nike! 📢
📊 See the full rankings here: https://t.co/MUs3rlF90Y pic.twitter.com/CENVXVUGwe
— FIBA (@FIBA) March 7, 2023
Two other African teams who will debut this summer in the World Cup and moved up the FIBA World Ranking Men are South Sudan (now 62nd); and Cape Verde, who jumped two slots to 64 as the smallest nation to reach the Basketball World Cup in terms of population.
The 2025 FIBA EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers also impacted the ranking with North Macedonia going up one slot after reaching the EuroBasket Qualifiers while Bulgaria moved up a spot to 47th.
The Draw of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be held in Manila, the Philippines, on April 29. The draw principles will be based on this ranking and on geographical principles.
