Qatar’s senior national basketball team is preparing for a crucial away match against Lebanon on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the Nehmeh Noufiel Complex in Dhok Mikhael, as part of the second round of the first window of the Asian qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA World Cup finals, which will be hosted by Doha.

The Qatari delegation is led by Mr. Saoudon Sabah Al-Kawari, Secretary General of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams, who is closely following all stages of preparation for this decisive match to ensure the players deliver their best possible performance.

Qatar enters the match following a narrow one-point loss (75-74) in the first leg held at Lusail Hall, in a fiercely contested game that showcased significant improvement from Qatar’s players, who proved capable of competing with one of Asia’s top teams.

Despite the slim defeat, the Qatari team displayed remarkable determination and resilience, dominating key moments of the game, particularly in the fourth quarter where they led 31-25. This performance bolsters the technical staff’s confidence in securing a positive result in the return leg in Beirut.

The match was highly competitive: Lebanon took an early lead in the first quarter 21-9, but Qatar regained composure and dominated the second quarter 17-12. The third quarter ended in a 17-17 tie, keeping the game tightly contested until the final whistle, though the result did not favor Qatar.

In Group D matches, the first round saw Saudi Arabia defeat India 75-51, underscoring the importance of the upcoming Qatar vs. Lebanon clash on Sunday.

Current Group D Standings:

• Saudi Arabia tops the group with 2 points, tied with Lebanon.

• Qatar sits in third place with 1 point, tied with India in fourth.

Asian and Oceanian Qualifiers Overview: The qualifiers feature 16 teams divided into four groups:

• Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Guam

• Group B: Japan, China, South Korea, Chinese Taipei

• Group C: Iran, Jordan, Syria, Iraq

• Group D: Qatar, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, India

The top three teams from each group will advance to the second round, where they will be redistributed into two new groups. The top three teams from each of these groups, along with the best fourth-placed team, will qualify for the 2027 FIBA World Cup finals.