BEIRUT (Lebanon) - After one year across three windows, we've finally reached the end of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. Through all of the big wins, upsets, and heartbreaking losses, we have confirmed 12 teams playing in Saudi Arabia later this year at the Asia Cup.
There's still some more basketball left to be played to determine the final four spots to complete the entire playing field, but in the meantime, let's take a look at the last update of the Smart Power Ranking.
Here is Volume 6 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Smart Power Rankings.
The teams were ranked taking into consideration forms throughout this window, the competition system, and opponent strength among others.
If you feel your team is overlooked or underestimated, don't forget to leave a comment across our social media platforms to show your support.
And here. We. Go.
#1 Australia ⏸
Previous Ranking: 1 Movement: -
Defending Asia Cup champions. Undefeated. Most points scored at 613 points. Highest point differential among all teams at a +/- of 246. Undisputed.
#2 Lebanon ⏸
Previous Ranking: 2 Movement: -
Lebanon came close to getting knocked down a peg as they barely escaped with wins in both games this window. They had been crushing their opponents by double-digits in all except their opening nine-point win against Syria in Window 1, but managed a 4.5 points per game margin of victory in the final window.
Of course, the fact remains that the Finalists of Asia Cup 2022 qualified for a return to the competition and remained undefeated until the end, so they'll keep their spot here.
#3 China ⏸
Previous Ranking: 3 Movement: -
After suffering their lone Qualifiers loss nearly one year ago, China seemed determined to prove a point in Window 3. They made sure that the message was loud and clear as they ended Japan's win streak in a 42-point win.
Maybe they were a bit uninspiring in their follow-up win over Guam to close out the Qualifiers, but there should plenty of optimism about the up-and-coming talents in China's talent pool from Zeng Fanbo to Yang Hansen among others.
#4 New Zealand ⬆️⬆️
Previous Ranking: 7 Movement: +3
Similar to China above them, New Zealand got their revenge for their only Qualifiers loss against the Philippines with a 17-point win. Gilas displayed vulnerability with their recent form and New Zealand pounced at the chance to get an important win.
The Tall Blacks have a solid core set in place with good chemistry between themselves. That should make them feel good about their chances of making it back to the Asia Cup Semi-Finals - or maybe even further on to the Final this time around.
#5 Jordan ⬆️
Previous Ranking: 6 Movement: +1
Finally! Jordan had been hovering around the Top 5 of the Smart Power Rankings, but finally proved themselves worthy of making their way in.
They topped their group. They stayed undefeated. They convincingly beat hosts Saudi Arabia.
But should we be a bit concerned about how they started that game against Iraq? Sure enough, the Falcons rallied back for a comeback win, but it's a valid reason to worry about if they want to make it back to the Asia Cup Semis, right?
#6 Iran ⬆️⬆️
Previous Ranking: 11 Movement: +5
In retrospect, placing Iran outside of the Top 10 for two straight Smart Power Rankings doesn't look too good after they breezed through the competition in Window 3.
Mohammad Amini commanded the spotlight in the first game against India, but actually, the overall play of the next wave of youngsters has been encouraging for Team Melli. Will there be a smoother transition to the next generation for Iran basketball?
PS. Maybe having Hamed Haddadi watching on in that first game while waiting for his jersey retirement ceremony also lit a fire in the national team as well.
#7 Qatar ⬆️⬆️
Previous Ranking: 9 Movement: +2
It turns out that not overreacting to Qatar's preparation for the window was a good idea. Now that they've had a lot more mileage of playing with each other (outside of debutant Donte Grantham, of course), Qatar look like a team that could be a headache to deal with at the Asia Cup.
They're athletic, young, and determined. A perfect recipe for teams looking to spring some upsets in Jeddah.
#8 Japan ⬇️⬇️
Previous Ranking: 4 Movement: -4
Yes, yes. We know. Japan were already qualified. They were giving their key veterans some rest after representing the country in high-stakes competition for nearly two years straight. Coach Hovasse wanted to test out some new talents, too, and the results look promising.
Still, a 42-point blowout is a 42-point blowout and having to sweat out a win against Mongolia that weren't able to qualify for the Asia Cup in the end are results that will drop you down a few spots in Power Rankings.
#9 Philippines ⬇️⬇️
Previous Ranking: 5 Movement: -4
The Philippines also drop four spots, but the vibe is a bit different from the Japan's case noted above.
Gilas' form heading into the window was already a bit alarming and the fact that they didn't have Kai Sotto didn't help. Most might have expected a lot to New Zealand considering the circumstances, but the upset loss to Chinese Taipei probably caught a lot of people off-guard - especially with Justin Brownlee scoring 39 points.
There's plenty of time until the Asia Cup tips off in August, but there might be a lot for the Philippines to figure out until then, too.
#10 Korea ⬇️⬇️
Previous Ranking: 8 Movement: -2
Korea did their job, clinched the last direct Asia Cup ticket left in Group A, and won both of their games. But they nearly were on the wrong end of one of the biggest upset of the Qualifers and survived a furious rally by Thailand.
We said they would "have to be focused - especially in Thailand in their first game" and Korea will be the first to admit that they lost that focus, as coach An Joon Ho mentioned in the post-game press conference. The good news is that they will be in Jeddah in August where reinforcements are expected.
#11 Chinese Taipei ⬆️
Previous Ranking: 12 Movement: +1
It feels as if this might not even be enough of a move up for Chinese Taipei in the Smart Power Ranking after an exciting and emotional home win over the Philippines. But the Top 10 is tough to crack, so knocking on the door will be fine for now, especially since this team will still have to earn their spot in Jeddah at the Qualifying Tournament for Third-Place Teams.
The teams already qualified for the Asia Cup should take this as a warning, though. This is potentially the team you do not want to face early on if they qualify for Jeddah.
#12 Saudi Arabia ⬇️⬇️
Previous Ranking: 10 Movement: -2
The hosts are losing some steam. As mentioned in the pre-window update, they had lost an exhibition game to UAE (who ended up not qualifying for the Asia Cup) and then followed that up by getting blown out against Jordan.
A key factor might be getting used to playing with a player who is expected to play a huge role moving forward in Muhammad Ali Abdurrahkman, so it might not be too much to worry about - for now.
#13 Syria ⬆️⬆️
Previous Ranking: 23 Movement: +10
Someday, we will learn that it is never wise to count out a team that is as driven and determined as Syria. We counted them out last cycle and they responded by beating Iran. We counted them out this cycle and they responded with a clutch win against Bahrain to punch their Asia Cup tickets.
Take a bow, Syria.
#14 Thailand ⬆️
Previous Ranking: 15 Movement: +1
Maybe it's a bit weird to see a team that went winless in a window move up a spot in the Smart Power Rankings, but that just says about much that game against Korea meant. A loss to Korea is a loss (and a big loss to the Boomers is a big loss, too), but Thailand have been one of the teams that have shown significant progress over the past year.
They will be underdogs to make it past the Qualifying Tournament for Third-Place Teams, but maybe that's how they like it.
#15 Guam ⬇️
Previous Ranking: 14 Movement: -1
Let's first talk about their loss to China. They did a great job to keep it close enough to clinch third place in the group and keep their Asia Cup dreams alive with Tai Wesley turning back the clock for a dominating performance. Considering Wesley was doing that on an injured finger makes it even more impressive.
But they also would not have been in the situation to stress out the point difference so much in the first place if they didn't lose to Mongolia in the first game of the window. It's back to the Qualifying Tournament for Third-Place Teams for Guam where they face familiar foes in Chinese Taipei and Thailand. They can't just rely on a vintage Wesley performance to carry them to advance this time.
#16 Bahrain ⏸
Previous Ranking: 16 Movement: -
Bahrain had their shot to already qualify for the Asia Cup and feel short against Syria. They were so close though.
Considering their track record, they will be one of the favorites to claim one of the four remaining slots from the Qualifying Tournament for Third-Place Teams, but they have been a tough team to read recently.
#17 Iraq ⬆️
Previous Ranking: 18 Movement: +1
We were close to shooting Iraq up the Smart Power Rankings, at least after seeing what was happening in the first quarter against Jordan where they led by as much as 19 points. However, they blew the lead and lost.
Fortunately for Iraq, they were on the end of getting a comeback win against Palestine - a win which kept their Asia Cup qualification hopes alive by clinching them the third-place spot in their group.
#18 India ⬇️⬇️
Previous Ranking: 13 Movement: -5
This is what we had written down for India in the pre-window update:
"We've seen many teams flash glimpses of potential over the course of a window only before being brought down back to earth later on. Maybe India won't be one of those teams."
Well, India were one of those teams - at least from what we saw this window. You hate to see it, but when it happens often enough you get used to it.
This is not to say that India have not done well and improved. It's just to say that this window was a rude awakening to remind them that there's still a long way to go.
#19 UAE ⬆️
Previous Ranking: 20 Movement: +1
UAE pushed and pushed and they almost pulled it off. There was a glimpse of hope for staying in contention for UAE if they could beat Lebanon. It looked promising for a while as they even held the lead for a brief moment heading into the final two minutes of the game.
But it just wasn't enough.
#20 Mongolia ⬆️⬆️
Previous Ranking: 22 Movement: +2
That's a wrap for Mongolia in their first-ever Asia Cup Qualifiers - and what a run it was! They have exciting young talents that play an exciting brand of basketball, supported by excited and passionate fans.
They are out of contention for Asia Cup qualification for now, but it seems like a given that they'll be back and better before you know it.
#21 Hong Kong, China ⬆️
Previous Ranking: 21 Movement: -
Hong Kong, China didn't get the win in this window, but there's a bit of hope in the air. They some exciting and relatively new talents and the basketball culture is strong. They are bound to break through and make it back to the Asia Cup at some point.
#22 Kazakhstan ⬇️⬇️
Previous Ranking: 17 Movement: -5
That makes it three straight crushing losses for the Steppen Wolves to close out the Qualifiers. Sometimes, it might seem that we are a bit harsh with Kazakhstan, but that's only because we've seen their potential of being able to beat top-tier teams.
They'll have to go back to the drawing board for now and take the long road back to the Asia Cup for the next cycle.
#23 Palestine ⬇️⬇️
Previous Ranking: 19 Movement: -4
We admire the Palestine national team for their fight and determination to represent their country on the hardwood, considering everything that is going on.
So seeing their double-digit lead evaporate as a result of a 21-0 run by Iran in the fourth quarter of a do-or-die game was not easy.
#24 Indonesia ⏸
Previous Ranking: 24 Movement: -
As we always say, someone has to end up in this spot, no matter how dreaded it may be. Indonesia will have to take this seat for now after two big losses to close out the qualifiers.
And as has been mentioned for teams that have been in this spot in the past: There's no other way but up from here.
FIBA