The Latvian national team continues its quest to qualify for the World Cup finals for the second time in a row. After four rounds of play, the Polish national team has secured a spot in the second stage with 4 wins, while the Netherlands (2), Latvia (1), and Austria (1) will battle for the two remaining spots. The results of their head-to-head match will be decisive.
In the first round, the Latvian team secured its victory right in Vienna against Austria (86–68). The Austrians, meanwhile, pulled off a surprise by defeating the Dutch national team 88–87 on the road.
The Latvian national team will prepare for these crucial games under the guidance of a new head coach - Jānis Gailītis has taken the helm, having gained extensive experience as an assistant to Luca Banchi at the 2023 World Cup, the Olympic qualifying tournament, and the 2025 European Championship. Once the club season ends, the national team will have all of Latvia’s best basketball players at its disposal, meaning the team’s roster will be stronger than in the first two game cycles.