Brazil lost to Mexico 79-74 on September 1, 2026, in Zacatecas, during the FIBA 2027 World Cup Qualifiers. The national team performed below expectations in the initial stage, managed to react after the break, but did not achieve a turnaround and concluded the sequence of games with two defeats.
Among Brazilian athletes, Léo Meindl was the most prominent player, recording 21 points and four rebounds. Didi Louzada contributed with 14 points, while Raul Neto finished the game with 11 points and seven assists. Márcio Santos also played an important role, adding eight points for the team.
Preparation for the dispute was strongly affected by logistical issues during the delegation’s trip. A problem on a domestic flight caused the team to miss its connection to Mexico, resulting in a fragmented trip and arrival in Zacatecas only on the evening of the day before the game. This scenario allowed only one training session before the confrontation, which may have influenced the initial performance. Previously, Brazil had suffered a 94-90 defeat to the Dominican Republic in Brasília.
After these two commitments, the Brazilian team ends this double round of Qualifiers with a record of six wins and two defeats. The team’s return to the courts is scheduled for November, with home games against the United States on November 27th and, again, against Mexico on November 30th.
