The Argentine national basketball team closed the fourth window of the FIBA Qualifiers with a 97-92 loss to Canada, in a game played on August 31, 2026 in Quebec City. With this result, the albiceleste team sits in 3rd place in Group F with a record of 6 wins and 2 losses, and will have to wait until the next window to secure its ticket to the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar.
A high-flying game
The match was thrilling from start to finish. Argentina led by as many as 17 points (40-23) in the second quarter, but Canada fought back and turned the score around in a tight finish. Guard Nicolás Laprovíttola was Argentina's standout player, with 31 points, 8/12 from three-point range, 7/7 from the free-throw line, and 4 assists. For Canada, Nickeil Alexander-Walker (26 points) and Luguentz Dort (25 points) led the scoring.
Gabriel Deck's injury
Bad news for the team was the injury to Gabriel Deck, who aggravated a discomfort in his left shoulder (the same one he suffered against Puerto Rico) and had to leave the game in the second quarter. His condition will be evaluated in the coming days, but he is expected to be available for the next window in November.
Group F standings
| Team | GP | W | L | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 8 | 8 | 0 | 16 |
| Uruguay | 8 | 6 | 2 | 14 |
| Argentina | 8 | 6 | 2 | 14 |
| Puerto Rico | 8 | 4 | 4 | 12 |
Argentina finished third due to point differential in head-to-head matchups with Uruguay, which beat Puerto Rico 80-75 on the same day. Canada, meanwhile, is the undefeated group leader with 8 wins.
What's next
The Argentine team will play at home again in November, hosting Bahamas (11/26) and Canada (11/29) in the fifth window. These games will be crucial to secure qualification for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar, a goal the team does not want to miss, especially considering that it did not participate in the 2023 World Cup and that a strong performance in the tournament could open the door to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Source: argentina.basketball