Mário Gomes Explains Neemias Queta's Absence from World Cup Qualifiers

National basketball coach Mário Gomes will be without Neemias Queta and Diogo Gameiro for the upcoming 2027 World Cup qualification window. Despite these significant absences, the coach remains focused on his objective of leading Portugal to Qatar.

Neemias Queta's absence, who featured in the last EuroBasket, is due to contractual reasons. The Portuguese center is currently in the process of renegotiating his contract with the NBA's Boston Celtics. According to Mário Gomes, this decision was made in conjunction with the player's agents to avoid jeopardizing negotiations. "We met with Neemias' agents, agreed, and understood the situation, which is completely acceptable," explained the coach, who emphasized the athlete's commitment: "Neemias has always wanted and continues to want to play for the national team."

Meanwhile, Benfica point guard Diogo Gameiro is sidelined due to clinical reasons. "Diogo [Gameiro] is not in physical and clinical condition to contribute normally to the national team," Mário Gomes stated, revealing that the decision was consensual among himself, the player, and the medical department, prioritizing the athlete's health.

With the clear goal of reaching the World Cup in Qatar, the coach views every game as crucial. "Our objective is to reach Qatar. To get there, every game counts, but in practice, only one counts, which is the next one," he declared, referring to the clash against Montenegro, scheduled for July 2nd.

For this phase, Portugal will rely on a squad of 14 players. Preparation for the official match includes two friendly games against Switzerland, one of which, on June 26th, will be open to the public.

The 'Lynxes' will once again face Montenegro, an opponent they defeated in the first qualification window, and now seek to repeat their triumph on home soil.

Thus, the national team hosts Montenegro on July 2nd (Matosinhos) and visits Greece three days later. Portugal sits second in Group B with 6 points — level with Montenegro and one behind leaders Greece — and needs just one victory to advance to the next phase, reserved for the top three teams.

Guards: Anthony da Silva (Évreux, Fra), Diogo Ventura and Francisco Amarante (Sporting), and Rafael Lisboa (Ourense, Esp)
Forwards: André Cruz (Sporting), Diogo Brito (Obradoiro, Esp), Nuno Sá (Palmer BM, Esp), Travante Williams (Rouanne Basket, Fra), and Vladyslav Voytso (FC Porto)
Centers: Cândido Sá and Ricardo Monteiro (SC Braga), Daniel Relvão (Benfica), Gonçalo Delgado and Miguel Queiroz (FC Porto).