Doha – March 26, 2026:
The Qatar Basketball Federation conducted the draw ceremony for the 13th edition of the Qatar Men’s Basketball Cup for the 2025–2026 sports season, during a press conference held at the Federation headquarters in Al-Gharafa on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The event was attended by officials, club representatives, and media members, reflecting the importance and prestige of the tournament within the local competition calendar.

The conference was attended by Mr. Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari, Secretary-General of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams; Mr. Ahmed Yousef Al-Darwish, Assistant Secretary-General of the Federation and Chairman of the Competitions Committee; and Mr. Essam Lotfi, Technical Secretary of the Federation. The official match schedule and tournament format were announced, with the competition set to follow a knockout system through to the final, promising strong rivalries among participating teams.

The draw revealed intense quarterfinal matchups scheduled for April 8 and 9, 2026. The quarterfinals begin on Wednesday, April 8, with Al-Sadd facing Al-Ahli at 7:00 p.m., followed by Al-Rayyan against Al-Khor at 9:00 p.m. at Al-Rayyan Club Hall.

On Thursday, April 9, Al-Wakrah will meet Qatar Club at 6:00 p.m., followed by Al-Gharafa versus Al-Shamal at 8:00 p.m. Both games will be played at Al-Gharafa Hall.

In a notable development, Al-Arabi awaits the winner of the Al-Sadd vs. Al-Ahli clash, with the match scheduled for Saturday, April 11, at 6:00 p.m. at Al-Gharafa Hall, to determine the semifinal qualifier.

The semifinals are set for Monday, April 13, 2026. The first game will feature the winner of Al-Wakrah vs. Qatar Club against the winner of Al-Gharafa vs. Al-Shamal. The second game will pit the winner of Al-Rayyan vs. Al-Khor against the victor of Al-Arabi vs. Al-Sadd/Al-Ahli. Both semifinals will be played at Al-Gharafa Hall.

The grand final of the tournament will take place on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Al-Gharafa Hall, where the champion of the 13th edition of the Qatar Basketball Cup for the 2025–2026 season will be crowned.

During the press conference, Mr. Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari emphasized that the early announcement of the tournament schedule reflects the Federation’s commitment to organizing the season in the best possible manner. He stated: “We strive at the Qatar Basketball Federation to deliver a well-structured season from the outset. Announcing the Qatar Cup schedule early helps clubs prepare optimally and highlights the progress in our organizational standards.”

Mr. Ahmed Yousef Al-Darwish added that the knockout format ensures equal opportunities for all teams to compete. He noted: “The Competitions Committee has ensured competitive fairness and high technical readiness across all stages of the tournament. The Qatar Cup has always carried excitement and surprises, and the knockout system gives every team a full chance to contend until the end.”

The golden record of the Qatar Basketball Cup reflects historic rivalries, with Al-Gharafa holding the record for most titles (4), tied with Al-Arabi. Al-Rayyan, Al-Wakrah, and Al-Sadd have each won the cup once, underscoring the strength and balance of competition throughout the tournament’s history.