The Qatar national basketball team will be looking to bounce back as they head to Beirut for a highly anticipated rematch against Lebanon in the second round of the first window of the FIBA Asia Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027. The match is set for Sunday at the Nouhad Nawfal Stadium in Zouk Mikael.
Qatar come into the encounter eager to avenge their narrow 75–74 loss to Lebanon in a thrilling opener held Thursday night at Lusail Multipurpose Hall in Doha. That match drew over 8,000 spectators and showcased Qatar’s fighting spirit, particularly in the second half.
Sunday’s clash takes on even more importance following Saudi Arabia’s 75–51 win over India, which has left the group standings wide open. Saudi Arabia and Lebanon lead the group with two points each, while Qatar and India have one point apiece. A win in Beirut would not only restore Qatar’s momentum but also keep them firmly in contention for a top-three spot in Group D.
The traveling squad is led by Saadon Sabah Al Kuwari, Secretary-General of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams. The team is set to begin training immediately upon arrival in Lebanon.
The Asian and Oceanian Qualifiers feature 16 teams divided into four groups. Group D includes Qatar, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and India, with the top three advancing to the next round. From there, the best-performing teams will earn their place in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, set to be hosted in Qatar.
With confidence high despite the narrow opening defeat, Qatar will aim to convert their strong performance into points when the action resumes in Beirut.