Jamaicans will finally get the rare chance to see international basketball on home soil as the Jamaica Basketball Association (JABA) is pressing ahead with hosting the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

The national senior men’s basketball team, The JamRockers, continue their quest to secure World Cup qualification for the first time when they take on Bahamas on February 26 and Canada on March 1 at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Group B action in Americas Qualifiers.

The Jamaica Observer understands that JABA have not yet secured the full $44 million required to host the qualifiers but are in advanced talks to have the funding in place ahead of the two fixtures. Tickets have also gone on sale through JABA’s official social media pages.

JABA president Paulton Gordon was unavailable for comment but a source told the Observer that things are progressing well with sponsors finalising their commitment.

Jamaica were forced to forego hosting duties in November in their opening game against Puerto Rico following an unsuccessful inspection two months prior by world governing body FIBA. The two potential venues, the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston and the Montego Bay Convention in St James, did not meet mandatory standards, including the absence of an internationally approved scoreboard and upgraded basketball hoops.

It meant that Jamaica would play their first two games in San Juan but ended up winning both games against the Puerto Ricans, 92-90 and 97-92 to move joint top of the group.

The games against Bahamas and Canada in Jamaica would be the first time the country has hosted a FIBA level competition.

Jamaica Head Coach Rick Turner looks on as players (from second left) Jordan Kellier (partially hidden), Marcus McDonald, Joel Bailey and Kofi Cockburn celebrate on the sidelines during the team’s 92-90 win over Puerto Rico in their first round FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifier on Friday, November 28, 2025 in San Juan. FIBA

Jamaica Head Coach Rick Turner told the Observer that the opportunity to stage high-level basketball at home will give the sport and overall economy a major boost.

“As basketball grows, have more eyes are on us and if we continue to have success, which we expect to have, then the sport has no choice but to grow,” he said.

“And if we put on a show in Kingston on February 26th and March 1st that gets more people turned on to basketball, then ultimately, that’s going to be a good thing for not just the basketball community, but the entire country because it’s an economic driver and you know the more times we’re able to play games in the country, the more times we’re bringing people into the country, we’re providing economic opportunity within the community for sponsors — like all of that is good for the health of Jamaica as a whole, but also for basketball.”

Wins against fourth-placed Bahamas on two points and joint group leaders Canada on four points would see Jamaica secure passage to the final round of qualifying as one of the top three teams and move a step closer to next year’s World Cup in Qatar.

The squad is set to be finalised next week but will continue to be without newly minted NBA All Star Norman Powell of the Miami Heat as NBA teams aren’t obligated to release players in-season for FIBA competitions.

It will also mean Canada will be without the likes of reigning NBA MVP and champion Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and 2023 NBA champion Jamal Murray while Bahamas will be missing Los Angeles Lakers centre Deandre Ayton and star guard Buddy Hield.