Doha: Qatar’s senior men’s basketball team is set to compete in their inaugural game during the second window of the Asian qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup – Qatar 2027, as they welcome India at 10 pm on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the Lusail Multi-Purpose Arena. This encounter is among the key matchups in Group D. Concurrently, Lebanon will be hosting Saudi Arabia at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex in Beirut.
In the lead-up to this window, Saudi Arabia are currently at the top of Group D with four points, having achieved consecutive victories over India (75–51 and 81–57). Qatar is positioned in second place with 3 points, following a narrow loss to Lebanon in the first leg (74–75) but recovering with an away win (86–83). Lebanon also holds 3 points in third place, while India is in fourth with 2 points after suffering two defeats in the opening window. This makes the Qatar–India match a vital chance for Qatar to enhance their score and secure a more advantageous standing before the critical encounter against Saudi Arabia on Monday, March 2, 2026.
Qatar has been preparing for its matches against India and Saudi Arabia by conducting an overseas training camp in Turkey. This camp was overseen by Turkish head coach Hakan Demir, who highlighted the importance of fostering team chemistry, diversifying both offensive and defensive strategies, and enhancing physical readiness for the demanding competition. The training program consisted of rigorous daily sessions that concentrated on tactical adaptations to effectively counter various playing styles, particularly that of India, as they strive to deliver an unexpected performance to maintain their qualification aspirations.
On the players’ side, Qatar’s exceptional duo, Brandon Goodwin and Alen Hadzibegovic, have demonstrated a formidable offensive and defensive partnership. Hadzibegovic recorded an average of 16.5 points and 11 rebounds during the initial window, while Goodwin shone with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. Together, they represent the foundation of Qatar’s strategy, merging robust defense with a swift and adaptable offense.
The Asian and Oceanian qualifiers consist of 16 teams organized into four groups. Group A features Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Guam. Group B includes Japan, China, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei. Group C consists of Iran, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. Group D unites Qatar, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and India. The top three teams from each group will progress to the second round, where they will be divided into two new groups. Subsequently, three teams from each group, along with the best fourth-placed team overall, will qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
The qualifiers are organized across six windows spanning more than 18 months, from November 2025 to March 2027, giving teams ample time to prepare between official rounds. FIBA has set the following dates for the six qualification windows:
November 24 – December 2, 2025
February 23 – March 3, 2026
June 29 – July 7, 2026
August 24 – September 1, 2026
November 23 – December 1, 2026
February 22 – March 2, 2027
