NBA 2K fans have been waiting years for full international FIBA national teams, and with NBA 2K26 around the corner, that old question is back: is this finally the year? 2K25 gave us a taste by including the USA national team in Play Now mode and dropping a few international appearances into MyCAREER, but the rest of the world’s top squads — like Spain, France, and Canada — were left out of regular play. And for a series that claims to show off the global side of basketball, that still feels like a big miss.
There are a few signs pointing to a change in 2K26. FIBA team data is already showing up on places like 2K Ratings, and not just for the USA. These rosters look prepped specifically for the new game — not just old leftovers slapped on for hype. That kind of stuff doesn’t just happen unless something’s brewing. Also, the real-world NBA and FIBA relationship is shifting. They’ve been working closer together lately, talking about new leagues and bigger international plans. So yeah, if there was ever a time to finally go for it, this would really be it.
The fan base is clearly ready. You just have to check Reddit or the forums to see people asking for these teams again and again. Folks want to recreate Olympic games, settle country vs. country rivalries, or just see how their home team stacks up against Team USA. It’s not just a niche thing anymore — this has been bubbling up for a while. And honestly, 2K has shown before that they do listen to player feedback, at least sometimes.
So what might this actually look like? If 2K goes all in, we’re probably talking about a full-on Play Now mode with teams like Germany, Serbia, Nigeria, and maybe a few surprises. Proper uniforms, legit rosters, real broadcast vibes. And in MyCAREER, the international storylines could get way deeper — think tournaments, big stage moments, maybe even World Cup-style runs. Most of the assets are probably already there. The real headache’s always been licensing and legal stuff. But now? That wall’s looking a little more cracked.
Still, gotta be honest — nothing’s locked in yet. 2K’s official promo stuff for 2K26 hasn’t mentioned FIBA teams in plain terms. And it’s possible they’ll be tucked behind certain modes again, or only half-there like in 2K25. Licensing is tricky. Players in different countries have different contracts, so not everyone may show up as expected. That kinda thing always makes these things weird.
With all of that, signs are definitely pointing in the right direction. It’s not a sure thing, but if we’re reading the tea leaves right, NBA 2K26 might finally give fans what they’ve been asking for: real, playable FIBA national teams — and not just in some background story, but right there on the main stage.
