Venezuela faces World Cup qualifiers with key players missing due to national emergency

Venezuela's men's national basketball team is set to compete in the third window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers, but will do so from Cali, Colombia. The shift in venue from Venezuela to Colombia was necessitated by earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, disrupting the original schedule planned for Barquisimeto and Puerto La Cruz.

Head coach Francisco Segura will lead a squad facing significant absences. Key players Windi Graterol and Heissler Guillent have withdrawn from the team due to family matters arising from the ongoing national emergency. Additionally, Michael Carrera, Anyelo Cisneros, and Luis Duarte have cited unavailability for this convocatoria.

The team includes players from various Venezuelan clubs such as Guaiqueríes de Margarita, Marinos de Anzoátegui, and Trotamundos de Carabobo, alongside those playing internationally. The selected roster features Pedro Chourio, José Ascanio, Enrique Medina, Andrés Marrero, José Materán, Carlos Fulda, Edwin Mijares, Edson Tovar, Fernando Fuenmayor, Yohanner Sifontes, Jhonny Tovar, Elián Centeno, Brayan González, and Yeferson Guerra.

Venezuela currently holds a 1-2 record, placing them third in Group C of the American qualifiers. Notably, all proceeds from ticket sales for the matches in Cali will be donated to support families impacted by the recent natural disaster in Venezuela, adding a humanitarian dimension to the team's participation.