"Lynx" Welcome Key Returns, Eyeing 2027 World Cup and a Potential Debut

Coach Mário Gomes announced his 16-man squad for the upcoming national basketball team fixtures this Monday, with the returns of Neemias Queta and Rúben Prey being the main highlights. Point guard André Silva is also included and could earn his first international cap.

The "Team of the Shields" is preparing for the first window of the second round of World Cup qualifiers, with games scheduled for late August in Zaragoza, Spain, and Matosinhos.

Portugal secured their spot in this stage by finishing second in Group B of the first round. The national team now carries a record of three wins and three losses, currently sitting in fourth place in the new Group I.

Ahead of them in the standings are Spain (5-1), Ukraine (4-4), and Montenegro (4-2). Greece and Georgia share the same record as Portugal (3-3).

In this second phase, the Portuguese team will only face the teams that advanced from Group A.

• André Cruz - Sporting

• André Silva - Imortal

• Anthony da Silva - UJAP Quimper (France)

• Cândido Sá - SC Braga

• Daniel Relvão - Benfica

• Diogo Brito - Obradoiro CAB (Spain)

• Diogo Ventura - Sporting

• Francisco Amarante - Sporting

• Miguel Queiroz - FC Porto

• Neemias Queta - Boston Celtics (USA)

• Nuno Sá - Palmer BM (Spain)

• Rafael Lisboa Santos - Fundación Lucentum Alicante (Spain)

• Ricardo Monteiro - SC Braga

• Ruben Prey - St. John’s University (USA)

• Travante Williams - Chorale Roanne Basket (France)

• Vladyslav Voytso - FC Porto

The schedule kicks off with an away game in Spain and a home fixture against Georgia, both in August.

November will see clashes with Ukraine (home) and Georgia (away). Qualification concludes in February 2027, with a home game against Spain and an away trip to Ukraine.

The top three teams in the group will secure a spot in the 2027 World Cup, which will be held in Qatar from August 27 to September 12.

Portugal plays on August 28 at 8:00 PM at the Príncipe Felipe Pavilion in Zaragoza, and three days later, on August 31, they host Georgia at 7:00 PM at the CDC in Matosinhos.