While still grappling with the reality that it has no Justin Brownlee to lean on, Iran has bolstered its own bid after Mohammad Amini rejoined the team ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers’ fourth window.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Basketball Federation announced the development on Tuesday morning, as the long-time continental powerhouse has arrived in Manila for its meetings against New Zealand and the Philippines.
“Mohammad Amini, an Iranian basketball player and player for the French team Nancy, has joined the national team in Manila, Philippines, to accompany the national team in the fourth window of the 2027 World Cup Qualifiers,” the IRIBF wrote in a statement, translated from Arabic.
If ever he does suit up, the upcoming window will be Amini’s first Team Melli stint since the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Saudi Arabia. There, Iran took the bronze by beating the Tall Blacks, 79-73, in the Third-Place Game.
He was unfortunately unable to play against the Tall Blacks due to a knee injury he suffered against eventual champion Australia during the semifinals. Still, he delivered good performances throughout the tournament.
In fact, his exploits enabled the Iranians to reach the Final Four. Amini dropped 30 points and 11 rebounds to help lead their epic comeback from 21 down to beat Chinese Taipei, 78-75, in the quarterfinals.
The 21-year-old guard finished the Asia Cup with solid per-game averages of 14.6 points on a 40.0-percent clip from the field. He also had 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and a steal to cap off his third tour of duty with the men’s team.
Amini was expected to play for Window 1 of the World Cup Qualifiers last November, but begged off due to the political unrest in the country.
Now, he has returned to the fold and is expected to play in his first game back against New Zealand this Friday, August 28, at the Mall of Asia Arena, giving himself a chance to play against the Oceania side after missing out last year.
They will then take on the Philippines (2-4) two nights later, likely against an all-Filipino unit as its resident naturalized player remains in the United States.
His return will make Iran even scarier despite the absence of star PG Sina Vahedi due to an ACL injury. The team is coming into Window 4 with a 5-1 win-loss record after going near-perfect in Group C back in the First Round.
Thrice an Asia Cup champion, Iran is looking to book a fifth straight World Cup appearance, a streak that began in 2010 in Turkey, where they finished 19th.
