Thrilling Start to the Asian Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027

DOHA  – Lusail Arena came alive on Thursday evening as Qatar faced Lebanon in a thrilling match during the first window of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027. The atmosphere was electric, with passionate fans of the Qatari team and the Lebanese community in attendance, while the game received extensive media coverage from traditional outlets and social media influencers both locally and internationally.In a match filled with intensity and excitement, Lebanon triumphed over Qatar with a score of 75-74, showcasing exceptional individual and team skills. The high-level performance throughout the game delighted fans and confirmed the readiness of both teams for the major event awaiting in August 2027.Qatar’s national team, is the only team to have already secured qualification as the host of the tournament in August 2027, yet it continues to participate fully in all Asian Qualifier windows to maintain competitive readiness for the World Cup finals.The first window of the Asian Qualifiers is divided into four groups: Group A: Australia, Guam, New Zealand, Philippines, Group B: Chinese Taipei, China, Japan, South Korea,  Group C: Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Group D: India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, LebanonOn this occasion, Mr. Mohammed Saad Al-Mughaiseeb, Director-General of the Organizing Committee for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, said: “The State of Qatar takes pride in hosting the first window match of the Asian qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, which brought together our national team and Lebanon. This reflects Qatar’s commitment to delivering an exceptional sporting experience that meets the expectations of fans.”Mr. Al-Mughaiseeb added: “Although our national team has already secured its qualification as the host of the tournament in August 2027, it will continue to participate fully in all windows of the Asian qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, reaffirming its competitive commitment. The Qatar–Lebanon match represents one of the key fixtures, given the Lebanese team’s strength and widespread popularity.”He continued, “We promise that the Organizing Committee will sustain the media and promotional momentum for Qatar 2027 across all media platforms and social networks, giving the tournament a distinctive public and popular dimension, and ensuring exceptional organization that meets the expectations of fans locally, regionally, and internationally, all the way through to the finals in 2027. I am pleased to announce that the Organizing Committee has launched the first promotional initiative for the tournament by unveiling the official identity of the Qatar 2027 Basketball World Cup, which embodies a comprehensive vision linking Qatar’s cultural and sporting heritage and reflects the exceptional nature of the event, offering the public a clear preview ahead of its official launch.”Mr. Al-Mughaiseeb explained: “We have further strengthened our promotional campaign through a cooperation agreement with Education Above All, leveraging sport as a tool to support education, human values, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, we have established a historic cultural partnership with the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum to celebrate basketball’s heritage and open new avenues for cultural collaboration in preparation for the Qatar 2027 Basketball World Cup, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a global sports destination combining organizational excellence with a spirit of achievement. Hosting the mini Basketball World Cup in the Middle East and North Africa for the first time during the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 seasons represents a strategic step, highlighting Qatar’s leadership in promoting youth participation in global sports and elevating the media campaign in preparation for the landmark event set for August 2027.”Meanwhile,  Mr. Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari, Executive Director of the Sports Department at the LOC, said: "The launch of the first window of the Asian Qualifiers marks an exciting start, igniting enthusiasm across the region and reflecting the growing interest in basketball. Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup will boost the sport’s popularity and create a lasting legacy in Asia and globally."He added: "Qatar’s investment in world-class sports infrastructure , including state-of-the-art arenas, training facilities, hospitality services, and logistics provides a solid foundation for hosting a historic edition of the World Cup. We are proud of the progress made and look forward to making the 2027 championship a milestone in the history of international basketball and a proud addition to Qatar’s global sporting achievements." 

Sheikh Joaan visits Athletics Training Center Project at Aspire Academy

Doha: H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), paid an inspection visit today to the Athletics Training Center Project at Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence.The project, which is being implemented through an integrated partnership between Aspire Academy, the Qatar Athletics Federation, and Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital – aims to develop Qatari athletics and elevate it to new levels.During the visit, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad toured the project's administrative building and reviewed the ongoing work and coordination between the three entities in training, medical preparation, and administrative support. The collaboration is designed to enhance athletes’ performance and support their aspirations for a successful season.He also met with members of the national athletics team, reviewed their training programs, and encouraged them to give their best and prepare thoroughly for upcoming competitions. His Excellency reaffirmed the Qatar Olympic Committee’s commitment to providing the best development environment for athletes.Accompanying the QOC President on the visit were Ivan Bravo, Director General of Aspire Academy; Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, Director of the QOC Sports Sector, Mohammed Issa Al Fadala, President of the Qatar Athletics Federation; as well as several members of the federation’s board of directors. 

Sheikh Joaan attends final of FIFA U-17 World Cup

Doha: H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, attended today the final match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, held at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.The final brought together the national teams of Portugal and Austria and ended with a 1–0 victory for Portugal, who were crowned champions of the event.Following the final, FIFA President Mr. Gianni Infantino presented the Portuguese team with the gold medals and the championship trophy. Austria took second place, while Italy claimed third place after defeating Brazil 4–2 in a penalty shootout, following a goalless draw in the third-place playoff.H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee and President of the Qatar Football Association also took part in the awarding ceremony. 

Qatar to face Lebanon in 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers

Doha: Qatari national team will face Lebanon on Thursday evening at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall in the first round of Group D matches in the Asian qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.Tomorrow's match is of great importance, as it marks the beginning of Qatar's crucial journey towards qualifying for the World Cup finals, which Qatar will host for the first time in the Middle East, from Aug. 27 to Sep. 12, 2027, with 32 teams participating.The Qatari national team concluded its preparations this evening for tomorrow's match. They are scheduled to visit the Lebanese national team in Beirut next Sunday at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports and Theater Complex in Beirut, for the second round of matches in Group D, which also includes the Saudi and Indian national teams.The Asian and Oceanian qualifiers feature 16 teams, divided into four groups. Group A consists of Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Guam; Group B includes Japan, China, South Korea, and Taiwan; Group C comprises Iran, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq; and Qatar is in Group D alongside Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and India.The top three teams from each group qualify for the second round, and the qualified teams are then divided into two new groups.Three teams from each group qualify for the World Cup finals, in addition to the best fourth-placed team from the two groups. 

Qatar Shines with Youth and Women’s Titles at Arab 3x3 Basketball Championship in Muscat

MUSCAT – Qatar delivered an outstanding performance, claiming both the Youth and Women’s titles at the Arab 3x3 Basketball Championship, which took place over two days in Muscat.The Qatari youth team captured the gold medal with a strong 20–17 victory over Kuwait in the final, while Lebanon secured third place. In the women’s event, Qatar triumphed over hosts Oman with a convincing 21–13 win, as Kuwait earned the bronze.Abdullah Sultan Al Jaber of the Qatar Basketball Federation said the double victory highlights Qatar’s steady progress in 3x3 basketball and the effectiveness of its player development programs. He also praised the high level of competition and the excellent organization of the tournament.Qatar’s teams now shift their focus to the Gulf 3x3 Championship for men and women, set to take place in Muscat from November 28–29.  

QBF and Microsoft Qatar Unveil AI-Powered Platform Transforming the Road to FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027

Doha: The Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) announced today the launch of its new website which will be an innovative smart digital platform powered by advanced artificial intelligence technologies. QBF is becoming one of the first federations in the world developing an AI powered website. This milestone reflects Qatar’s strong commitment to accelerating digital transformation in the sports sector as the country prepares to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027.Developed in partnership with Microsoft Qatar, the platform embodies a shared vision to redefine how fans, players, and partners interact with the sport. Powered by Microsoft Cloud and cutting-edge AI capabilities, the new website delivers an immersive digital experience featuring Real-time analysis of matches and related statistics, personalized content, predictive insights, and interactive tools that strengthen the connection between the community and basketball.QBF President Mohammed Saad Al-Meghaiseeb said: “This launch marks a significant step in our digital transformation journey. Our ambition is to inspire the next generation of fans and players through technology. Our partnership with Microsoft Qatar reflects our shared vision to position Qatar as a global hub for innovation and to elevate the fan experience ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027.”For his part, Microsoft Qatar General Manager Ahmed Al-Dandachi said: “We are proud to support the Qatar Basketball Federation in building an advanced, intelligent ecosystem for the sport. With the power of artificial intelligence and Microsoft’s trusted cloud technologies, fans, players, and coaches will enjoy entirely new digital experiences. This initiative sets a new global benchmark for how technology can elevate sports.”The new platform features AI-generated content, predictive match analytics, interactive dashboards, and fully personalized fan experiences. Users can explore real-time team performance data, access exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and engage through innovative tools such as the Fan MVP vote, smart content feeds, and digital experiences that connect local and international audiences to Qatar’s basketball culture.This launch marks the first phase of a multi-year roadmap between QBF and Microsoft Qatar aimed at enhancing every aspect of the sport—from player performance analytics and talent identification to media content and fan engagement—using the latest cloud, data, and AI technologies.As the countdown to the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 continues, the State of Qatar is moving confidently toward delivering the first AI-powered fan experience in the tournament’s history, setting a new global standard for how technology can inspire, entertain, and unite basketball fans around their passion for the game.You can visit the website https://qatarbasketball.qa/ and get to know "Najm", who is the digital persona of the Qatar Basketball Federation website, and who will accompany and guide you on your journey with basketball in Qatar and around the world.