Puerto Rico's national basketball team is at risk of missing the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar after a disappointing performance in the current qualifying windows. A loss to the Bahamas on Monday would end their streak of participating in the tournament, which has been ongoing since 1986.
According to statistician Francisco 'Paquito' Rodríguez, the team has not missed a World Cup since Colombia 1982. Puerto Rico has participated in the tournament ten times consecutively, with their last appearance being in the Philippines 2023.
The team's history in the World Cup began with their debut in Chile 1959, and they have had notable performances, including a fourth-place finish in Argentina 1990, led by José 'Piculín' Ortiz and coached by Raymond Dalmau. If they lose to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico would be eliminated for the first time since the implementation of the qualifying window system.