Doha – September 3, 2026:
The Qatar men’s national basketball team continues its preparations for the upcoming Asian Games “Aichi–Nagoya 2026,” a participation eagerly anticipated by the Qatari sports community, with hopes of delivering strong performances and competing for top positions in one of the continent’s most prestigious tournaments.

The Asian Games “Aichi–Nagoya 2026” will be staged in Japan from September 19 to October 4. However, basketball competitions begin prior to the official opening ceremony, with the men’s 5×5 matches taking place at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya. Qatar’s national team will open its campaign on Thursday, September 10, 2026, against Iran at 4:00 a.m. Doha time, marking the start of its journey in Group B.

The draw placed Qatar in Group B alongside Iran, Jordan, and Chinese Taipei. The team’s second match will be on Saturday, September 12, against Jordan at 7:00 a.m. Doha time, followed by its final preliminary round game on Sunday, September 13, against Chinese Taipei, also at 7:00 a.m. Doha time. Group A features Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, while Group C includes China, the Philippines, Bahrain, and Kazakhstan.

Knockout stage competitions will commence after the preliminary round, with quarterfinals scheduled for Wednesday, September 16. Should Qatar advance, its match will be played at 4:00 a.m. Doha time. The semifinals are set for Friday, September 18, at 10:00 a.m. Doha time. The men’s basketball competition concludes on Sunday, September 20, with the third‑place playoff at 10:40 a.m., followed by the final at 1:40 p.m., and the awards ceremony at 4:25 p.m. Doha time.

Qatar’s participation in Nagoya comes against the backdrop of a distinguished history for the national 5×5 basketball team, which notably qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time in 2006, when Japan hosted the tournament. That milestone marked a turning point in Qatari basketball, showcasing the team’s ability to compete beyond regional and continental levels.

On the continental stage, Qatar boasts a strong record in the FIBA Asia Cup, having secured bronze medals in consecutive editions in 2003 and 2005. The team also claimed the Asian Challenge Cup title in 2004, adding a significant accolade to its continental achievements. Regionally, Qatar has maintained a strong presence through multiple participations in the Gulf Championship and the West Asia Championship, earning several titles and establishing itself as one of the region’s most accomplished teams.