Can Canada turn qualifying dominance into FIBA Basketball World Cup gold?

Gordie Herbert's side dominated Group B, which contained the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Jamaica, scoring 624 points, more than any other country in the Americas section.

Team Canada have an abundance of NBA talent at their disposal, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and co serious contenders for the 2027 Qatar World Cup.

However, do they have what it takes to win their first gold medal at the tournament? Here, DAZN News analyses their chances.

The second round of qualifying resumes on August 24 and all matches are available to stream live or on demand via Courtside 1891 on DAZN.

Canada make FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers statement

Team Canada were expected to walk their group, given the talent in their ranks, and after topping it with relative ease, they are now being talked about as one of the favourites for the World Cup.

Herbert's men entered window three having notched four straight wins and restamped their status with two 20+ victories over Puerto Rico and Jamaica.

Many teams rely on different rosters from window to window, but Canada have successfully combined NBA stars with FIBA veterans to maintain consistency throughout the qualifiers.

Reigning NBA MVP Gilgeous-Alexander has become their lynchpin, and his 26 points in as many minutes showcased just how lethal he can be on his day.

Beyond the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard, there are Andrew Nembhard and Nickeil Alexander-Walker alongside several others, highlighting Team Canada's strength in depth.

Of course, while there will be tougher tests to come for Herbert's side, their performances in the qualifiers have turned heads and suggest they have more than a shot at World Cup glory.

What are Canada's chances of winning a first World Cup?

Team Canada won bronze at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, their first-ever medal, but their current roster is arguably the best in their history.

One of the key factors will be whether they arrive in Qatar with all their NBA talent, but if they do, then they will have one of the strongest squads in the tournament.

Five-time champions the United States will be strong contenders, while Serbia, containing Nikola Jokic and defending champions Germany must also be considered.

Then there is France, who played Rudy Gobert, Zaccharie Risacher and Bilal Coulibaly in window three, while Victor Wembanyama would take them to another level if available.

What sets Canada apart is that not only do they possess some of the best players in the world, but they have played them together throughout qualifying, meaning they will be a firm unit come Qatar.

Although the World Cup will be fiercely competitive, Canada have been building a golden generation for some time, and finally they are poised to win gold.

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How can I watch FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers?

The FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers are available through DAZN on its own dedicated app channel, Courtside 1891.

It is available either as a dedicated Courtside 1891 subscription or as part of your existing DAZN subscription for a small add-on fee.

DAZN is the home of Courtside 1891 worldwide, excluding Estonia, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, China, Hong Kong and Japan.

For more information on prices, subscriptions, and more, click here.

How much is a Courtside 1891 subscription to watch FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers on DAZN?

Courtside 1891 is available on DAZN in Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and pricing can be found below.

How to watch FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers on DAZN

• On your smart TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device, go to the App store, search for 'DAZN' and download
• Once downloaded, open the App and select 'Get started' or 'log in'
• Manually enter your email address and choose a password. Or sign up via the Apple, Google, or Facebook options
• You now have access to all of DAZN's free content, including FIFA+, LIV Golf, and the Matchroom boxing channel
• Then head to the Courtside 1891 page and click 'subscribe now' for your payment options

On a laptop/PC, visit  www.DAZN.com/home  and then follow the instructions above.