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25 Jul’ 2026

Team Qatar U18 Set for Saudi Arabia Showdown in FIBA Asia Cup Gulf Qualifiers Opener

DOHA – Qatar's national under-18 basketball team will launch their campaign in the Gulf Qualifiers for the FIBA U18 Asia Cup on Sunday when they face Saudi Arabia at Al Gharafa Club Indoor Arena in Doha.

The hosts will be aiming to secure an opening victory that would provide an early boost in their pursuit of one of three coveted qualification spots for the continental championship, which will be held in Ahmedabad, India, this August.

Hosted by the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF), the Gulf qualifying tournament runs from July 25 to 30 and features five participating nations: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the Sultanate of Oman.

The competition is being played in a single round-robin format, with each team contesting four matches. The top three teams in the final standings will qualify for the FIBA U18 Asia Cup, making every fixture crucial from the opening day in what is expected to be a highly competitive tournament.

Qatar enter the qualifiers following an intensive preparation program designed to maximize the squad's technical, tactical, and physical readiness. As part of their build-up, the team completed an overseas training camp in Yalova, Türkiye, where they played a series of friendly matches that enabled Turkish head coach Cengiz Karadag to assess player performances and finalize his squad ahead of the competition.

The national team is built around a talented generation regarded as the future of Qatari basketball. The final 12-player roster is captained by Abdullah Yassin and includes Tameem Ashraf Abouissa, Meshaal Khaled Al Mughni, Moaz Omar Moussa, Azzam Mohammed Yakan, Ziyad Tamer Al Gohary, Mohammed Saeed Badri, Mahmoud Tamer Ibrahim, Amer Ibrahim Moussa, Owen Ikina, Youssef Walid Abdelqader, and Shahi Mohammed. 
 

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OCA President crowns Equestrian Jumping team medallists

OCA President H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani crowned the medallists in the Equestrian Jumping team event at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games during a ceremony held in Tokyo.H.E. Sheikh Joaan presented the medals to the winning teams: Saudi Arabia claimed gold, the United Arab Emirates took silver, and Japan won bronze.  Arrow
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Qatar to Face Saudi Arabia in Gulf Cup Semi-Finals After UAE Draw

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Qatar drew 1-1 with the United Arab Emirates in their final Group B match at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Thursday, setting up a semi-final meeting with hosts Saudi Arabia at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup in Jeddah.The result saw both teams finish the group stage on seven points, with the UAE claiming top spot on goal difference. The UAE will face Group A runners-up Oman in the first semi-final on Saturday at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium, while Qatar, who finished second in Group B, will take on Group A winners Saudi Arabia in the second semi-final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.With both sides already assured of their places in the last four, the encounter was effectively a battle for top spot and began at a competitive pace, with Qatar looking to exploit quick transitions.Qatar broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Jassem Gaber delivered a well-placed cross that Almoez Ali converted to put his side in front.The UAE responded by stepping up the pressure and creating a series of attacking opportunities. Their persistence paid off in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time when Khaled Al Tanhani played the ball to Ali Saleh, who controlled it before sending a low shot into the net to restore parity.The UAE continued to press after the restart, intensifying its search for a winning goal, while Qatar adopted a more defensive approach and looked to threaten on the counterattack.Despite sustained efforts from both sides, neither team could find a decisive second goal, and the match ended 1-1.Qatar will now turn its attention to Saturday’s semi-final against Saudi Arabia, with a place in the Arabian Gulf Cup final at stake. Arrow
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Qatar Set for High-Stakes Quarter-Final Clash with Hosts Japan

AICHI-NAGOYA, Japan – Qatar’s national volleyball team face a high-stakes quarter-final against hosts Japan today as their pursuit of Asian Games glory continues at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.The encounter promises to be a demanding battle between two experienced teams with strong technical and physical capabilities. Japan will also enjoy the added advantage of home support, with a passionate crowd expected to create an intense atmosphere.Qatar advanced to the knockout stage after finishing second in Group C. They began the competition with victories over Hong Kong and Vietnam before narrowly going down 3-2 to India in their final group match.Qatar made an outstanding start against India, winning two closely fought sets 28-26 and 27-25 to take a 2-0 lead. India then mounted a determined comeback to level the contest and force a fifth-set decider, eventually edging the final set 24-22.The result highlighted Qatar’s competitiveness and fighting spirit, qualities they will need once again against Japan. Unlike the group stage, however, the quarter-final is a knockout encounter, meaning there will be no second opportunity if the team falls short.Argentine head coach Soto and his technical staff have prepared carefully for the challenge, drawing on their knowledge of the Japanese team from a friendly played during Qatar’s pre-Games training camp.The coaching staff are expected to place particular emphasis on Qatar’s serve and reception, limiting Japan’s attacking options and maintaining tactical discipline and concentration when the match reaches its decisive moments.With a semi-final place at stake, Team Qatar will seek to deliver another determined performance and overcome the challenge of facing the hosts on their own court. Arrow
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Qatar 2027 World Cup Enriches Bayt Qatar Visitors with a Unique Experience

NAGOYA, Japan : A three-day promotional campaign organized by the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Local Organizing Committee on 20, 23 and 29 September attracted strong interest and engagement from guests at Bayt Qatar, held on the sidelines of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.The campaign aimed to raise awareness of the tournament and showcase the Naismith Trophy to senior Olympic officials, leading figures in Asian sport and visitors to Bayt Qatar, as well as athletes and fans attending the Asian Games. It also sought to engage fans of Asian national teams qualifying for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, which will be held in Doha, Qatar, from 12 August to 27 September 2027.The promotional campaign attracted hundreds of basketball enthusiasts, Asian Games fans and athletes, providing a unique experience that brought together sport, its legacy and its impact on people. It also contributed to strengthening basketball culture across Asia.The campaign represents a significant promotional initiative connecting the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 with the Asian sporting community. It also contributes to strengthening sporting ties between Qatar and its Asian counterparts, while reinforcing the role of sport as a bridge for peace, solidarity and greater understanding between people.At its core, the campaign builds on the global momentum surrounding the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games to promote the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 and highlight Qatar’s approach to creating a sustainable sporting legacy that extends beyond individual tournaments.This is achieved by building on accumulated expertise, sporting infrastructure and strategic investments and turning them into sustainable assets that serve the community and support the continued development of basketball.The fan experience is a key pillar of the Local Organizing Committee’s preparations. Qatar 2027 aims to deliver an experience that goes beyond the games and competition inside the arenas, offering fans and visitors a comprehensive experience combining sport, entertainment and culture through a range of fan activities and events, while providing opportunities to discover Qatari culture and enjoy diverse tourism experiences that reflect the richness and diversity of Qatar. Arrow

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