Ten more teams advance to World Cup Qualifiers Second Round as February window closes

The list of teams to have qualified for the next phase of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers grew to twenty-two after ten more national teams from across Americas, Asia and Europe secured Second Round berths on Monday.

Argentina, China, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Lithuania, New Zealand and Spain, Uruguay and USA clinched places in the Second Round of the World Cup Qualifiers, which will consist of three windows in September and November 2018 and February 2019.

They join Australia, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Serbia and Venezuela, who all secured their spots in the Second Round on Sunday.

USA secured their spot the second round after beating Puerto Rico in hard-fought game in which the Caribbeans came back from a 17-point deficit to tie it in the last quarter. USA prevailed, won it by the score of 83-75 and improved to 4-0 on their way to the next round. Argentina beat Paraguay earlier in the day and even though Uruguay lost to Panama, both clinched a berth in the second round with a 3-1 record. 

In the Asian Qualifiers, New Zealand used an 82-73 win over China on Friday to move atop the Group A standings but other results ensured both teams earned tickets to the Second Round. Meanwhile, Jordan and Lebanon used wins to secure peace of mind in Group C.

Up to seven teams had the opportunity to qualify in the European Qualifiers, but only the trio of Italy, Lithuania and Spain took advantage of the situation after each maintained unbeaten records (4-0).

Out of the 80 teams from across the globe taking part in the First Round of the Qualifiers, the top 60 advance to the Second Round. The 31 best will join hosts China at the first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup, taking place from August 31-September 15, 2019.

The third window (June 25-July 3, 2018) of the First Round is still crucial to all teams as results of every single game will be carried over to the Second Round.