Doha – July 27, 2026:
Qatar’s U18 basketball team continued its impressive campaign in the Gulf qualifiers for the FIBA U18 Asian Championship after securing its second consecutive victory in the tournament currently being held in Doha. Qatar defeated Kuwait 81-53 in the second round of matches to raise its tally to four points and move into second place in the standings behind leaders Bahrain.
The victory came in Monday’s clash, July 27, 2026, at Al Gharafa Sports Club Hall, as Qatar confirmed its readiness to compete strongly for one of the two qualification spots to the continental finals, scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad, India, next August.
The Gulf qualifiers are being held from July 25 to 30 with the participation of five teams: Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman. The competition follows a single round-robin format, with the top two teams earning qualification to the FIBA U18 Asian Championship.
Qatar’s second win came after a strong opening performance in the first round, when the team secured an important 80-76 victory over Saudi Arabia in a highly competitive match. Qatar showed great composure and fighting spirit during the decisive moments to claim the victory.
Through their opening two matches, the Qatari team has displayed steady improvement, with clear harmony among the players. Head coach Cengiz Karadag has successfully managed the team’s performances through strong defensive organization, quick transitions, and effective use of the players’ individual abilities.
Qatar dominated the game against Kuwait from the start, finishing the first quarter ahead 20-14 before extending its advantage in the second quarter with a 26-13 score. Qatar continued its superiority in the third quarter, winning 25-14, while Kuwait claimed the final quarter 12-10. The overall result, however, secured a convincing 81-53 victory for Qatar.

Abdullah Yassin was Qatar’s top scorer in the match, finishing with 21 points, while Ali Al-Hindal led Kuwait’s scoring efforts with 11 points.
The Qatari coaching staff continues to rely on a talented group of young players who represent the future of basketball in Qatar. The final squad includes 12 players led by team captain Abdullah Yassin, along with Tamim Ashraf Abu Issa, Meshaal Khalid Al Mughni, Moath Omar Musa, Azzam Mohammed Yakan, Ziyad Tamer Al Johari, Mohammed Saeed Badri, Mahmoud Tamer Ibrahim, Amer Ibrahim Musa, Owen Ekina, Youssef Waleed Abdulqader, and Shahi Mohammed.
The technical staff is led by Turkish head coach Cengiz Karadag, assisted by Abdo Al Haraji, Hashem Zaidan, and Mounir Ben Ghalla. Kenan serves as the fitness coach, while Saif Al Din Al Hamandi oversees physiotherapy and rehabilitation. The administrative staff includes team manager Khalid Ahmed Al Mughni, alongside Omar Ahmed and Ayoub Rahmatullah.
In another match from the second round, Bahrain continued its strong performances by securing its third consecutive victory after defeating Oman 94-49, increasing its tally to six points and strengthening its position at the top of the standings.
Bahrain controlled the game from the opening minutes, leading 22-12 at the end of the first quarter and extending its advantage in the second quarter with a 30-10 score. Bahrain maintained its dominance in the third quarter, winning 25-9, while Oman claimed the final quarter 18-17. The match ended with a 45-point victory for Bahrain.

Bahrain had previously opened its campaign with a 62-54 victory over Saudi Arabia before defeating Kuwait 106-51 and adding another win against Oman, confirming its status as one of the strongest contenders for the tournament title.
Following the conclusion of the second round, Bahrain leads the standings with six points, while Qatar sits in second place with four points from two matches. Oman and Kuwait occupy third and fourth positions respectively with three points each, while Saudi Arabia is fifth with two points.
All teams will have a rest day on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, before the competition resumes on Wednesday, July 29. Saudi Arabia will face Kuwait at 5:00 PM, while Qatar will take on Oman at 7:00 PM at Al Gharafa Sports Club Hall.
The qualifiers will conclude on Thursday, July 30, with two matches scheduled. Oman will face Saudi Arabia, while Qatar will meet Bahrain in a highly anticipated encounter that could play a decisive role in determining the final standings and the tournament winner.
The Gulf qualifiers hold significant importance as they represent the pathway to the FIBA U18 Asian Championship. The continental tournament will also provide four qualification spots for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2027, scheduled to be held in the Czech Republic.