For Italy and Hungary, the final buzzer in the qualifiers signaled the end of decades in the wilderness.

Italy secured their first World Cup appearance in 32 years with a statement victory over Spain in San Juan, proving their 2025 EuroBasket bronze was no fluke. Similarly, Hungary ended a 28-year absence, led by a dominant performance from Dorka Juhász.

These resurgent European powerhouses join a field that feels more competitive than ever, as traditional giants like Japan and China also secured their spots with clinical displays in Istanbul and Wuhan respectively.