BEIRUT (Lebanon) - In just 30 days, on February 20, basketball fans will turn their attention to the thrilling action of Window 3 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. As the final window approaches, national teams are gearing up for what promises to be an intense and high-stakes round of competition.
Which teams will book their tickets to the Asia Cup? Which teams will keep their hopes of making it to Saudi Arabia alive? Which teams will miss the bus?
Here's what to expect from the action in each group when the Window tips off.
Group A
8/12 GAMES PLAYED
(1) Qualified for FIBA Asia Cup 2025
After going on a four-game win streak in the past two windows, the defending Asia Cup champions are already through to FIBA Asia's flagship competition. They'll be a bit more relaxed with back-to-back games at home in Gippsland as they host Indonesia (February 20) and Thailand (February 23) in front of fans hungry to cheer on for the Boomers.
That leaves only one more direct qualification spot for the Asia Cup in this group. Thailand and Korea - who play against each other on February 20) are in a better position with 2-2 records than Indonesia, so expect all of them to leave it all on the court in this final window.
Group B
8/12 GAMES PLAYED
(1)Qualified for FIBA Asia Cup 2025
It might seem like there's a bit less drama in Group B with both the Philippines and New Zealand already locking up tickets to the Asia Cup. In reality, however, this group could provide some exciting action to keep the fans tuned in.
The results of the games played on February 20 (Chinese Taipei vs Philippines and Hong Kong, China vs New Zealand) could end up already deciding which team locked up third place in the standings, but if it doesn't, that means all eyes will be turned to both games on February 23.
Hong Kong, China and Chinese Taipei could end up playing to keep their Asia Cup hopes and dreams alive. Meanwhile, even though both are qualified, Gilas and the Tall Blacks have been brewing a rivalry between themselves over the recent years which means no one wants to lose this final Qualifiers clash in New Zealand.
Group C
8/12 GAMES PLAYEDView Table Legend
(1)Qualified for FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
What a ride it has been in Group C. Window 1 started with Japan pulling off an upset against China, scoring their first win over their rivals in 88 years. Since then, both teams have won all of their remaining games, setting up the stage for what should be a fiery rematch on February 20. China will be at home with a chance to clinch an Asia Cup spot and exact revenge, while Japan will surely want to keep their momentum going and stay undefeated.
And that's only half of it!
Mongolia and Guam are underdogs to secure direct qualification, but they've shown how determined they are to make an Asia Cup debut - and this window is where they keep that dream alive. Their clash on February 20 will be one of the most important games of their national team programs to date.
Group D
8/12 GAMES PLAYED
(1)Qualified for FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
The Asia Cup hosts Saudi Arabia have clinched a Top 2 spot in the standings as have previous edition Semi-Finalists Jordan, but that shouldn't water down the intensity when they go up against each other on their first gameday of the window on February 21. They've played against each other multiple times in recent years and could be another rivalry in the making to keep an eye on.
That leaves the battle for the third-place in the standings to be jousted between Palestine and Iraq who also play on February 21. Iraq might have won the first round, but only by a margin of three points, which means this rematch could go down the wire with everything on the line for both teams.
Group E
8/12 GAMES PLAYED
Group E proved to be the group of upsets in Window 2 which means this could end up being a chaotic finish towards the finish line of the Qualifiers. This is the only group where no teams have clinched a spot at the Asia Cup yet.
Qatar surged into a top 2 spot with two massive wins and don't look like they will be slowing down with their recent form. Then again, Indian are high in confidence as well, following a home stretch that saw them upset Kazakhstan. These two teams will play against each other on February 24 and it could be a game where the winner takes an Asia Cup qualification ticket.
Iran are at the top, but they can't be complacent. They face the red-hot India on February 21 and then face Kazakhstan on February 23 - and we know that the Steppen Wolves love playing against Team Melli.
Group F
8/12 GAMES PLAYED
(1)Qualified for FIBA Asia Cup 2025
Lebanon have probably been itching to get back to the Asia Cup ever since the final buzzer of the 2022 Final sounded for a chance at revenge. At least, they are playing with that sense of urgency, resulting in an undefeated run so far to clinch a spot in Jeddah - the lone ticket secured from Group F so far.
This leaves only one more direct spot to be claimed and the race is as tight as it can get with only one win separating Bahrain (2-2) from Syria and UAE (both 1-3). The games from the recent windows have been closely contested and that's pretty much what fans will be expecting to see in this final stretch.
FIBA