Doha – August 31, 2026:
The Qatari men’s national basketball team has returned to Doha following the conclusion of its participation in the fourth window of the second stage of the FIBA Asia Qualifiers for the 2027 Basketball World Cup, after facing Japan at the Toyota Arena Tokyo in the Japanese capital.

Qatar fell to Japan with a score of 70–123 in a game where the hosts asserted clear dominance, particularly in the first and third quarters. The Qatari side showed improved performance in the second quarter, managing to match Japan’s pace before the home team regained control.

Japan started strongly, imposing its offensive rhythm early with speed and precision, closing the first quarter ahead 29–11. The second quarter marked Qatar’s best spell, as the team displayed greater cohesion and organization, improving offensively and handling Japan’s defense more effectively. Despite Japan’s continued edge, Qatar held firm, losing the quarter narrowly 24–23.

The third quarter saw Japan surge again, capitalizing on defensive gaps and maintaining high offensive efficiency to secure a decisive 40–11 margin, widening the gap significantly. In the final quarter, Qatar sought to finish on a stronger note, but Japan maintained its offensive pressure, closing 30–25 to seal the overall victory 123–70.

Individually, Japan’s Rui Hachimura delivered a standout performance, scoring 30 points and leading several statistical categories, including efficiency (40), along with 4 blocks and 3 steals. For Qatar, Abdullah Musa was the top scorer with 14 points, while Mohamed Hashem led rebounds with 8, matching Japan’s Joshua Hawkinson. Yuki Kawamura topped assists with 9, compared to 4 from Qatar’s Abdulrahman Yahya.

With this result, Japan raised its tally to 14 points in Group F, while Qatar reached 12 points. Group F also includes China, Lebanon, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia, with fierce competition for qualifying spots. Qatar participates as host of the 2027 World Cup, automatically qualified for the finals; its results count in the qualifiers but do not affect the group’s final standings. The team’s participation aims to gain experience and competitive exposure against Asia’s strongest sides as part of its preparation program for the global event.

The Qatari delegation for the fourth window included both technical and administrative staff alongside the squad selected for the China and Japan fixtures. Head coach Hakan Demir led the team, with the roster against Japan featuring: Mostafa Foda, Mike Lewis, Mahmoud Darwish, Abdullah Musa, Ndawi Elhaj Sido, Abdullah Saad, Mohamed Hashem, Ousmane Dieng, Osama Arafa, Abdulrahman Yahya, Omar Saad, and Aladji Bobo Magassa. The delegation was headed by Mr. Saadoun Sabah Al‑Kuwari, Secretary General of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams, supported by Jassim Ibrahim Ashkanani (Team Manager) and Nabil Jumaa (Assistant Manager). The medical staff included Dr. Adel Harmiya (Team Doctor), Dr. Adel Salim (Physiotherapist), and Nicasio Sagaino (Masseur).

The delegation had traveled to Tokyo after the opening game against China, which ended in an 83–57 win for the Chinese team, before contesting the second fixture against Japan to close the fourth window. Qatar will continue its qualifiers campaign in the fifth window, facing South Korea in Doha on November 26, followed by hosting Japan on November 29.