Philippines Crowned Champions of the eFIBA World Finals Qatar 2026 – Season 4

Doha – In an exciting atmosphere that reflected the growing passion for esports, the eFIBA World Finals Qatar 2026 – Season 4 concluded on Saturday evening at Mall of Qatar, following two days of intense competition featuring some of the world’s top national teams. The tournament was organized by the Local Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, in cooperation with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Qatar Basketball Federation, and the Qatar Esports Federation.The Grand Final delivered an exciting contest that remained closely contested until the final moments, with Philippines defeating Turkiye by 3-0 to claim the title of the eFIBA World Finals Qatar 2026 – Season 4. France occupied the third place and Algeria finished fourth in the tournament.The accompanying fan engagement activities also drew large crowds of visitors and shoppers at Mall of Qatar, who had the opportunity to take commemorative photos with the official trophy of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, in an interactive atmosphere that reflected the growing excitement ahead of Qatar’s hosting of the global basketball showpiece. The activities also contributed to strengthening community engagement and raising awareness of the tournament among visitors of all ages.The closing day was attended by Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al Buenain, Director General of the Local Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, Mrs. Fatima Sultan Al-Kuwari, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar’s Olympic and Paralympic Games 2036 bid, H.E. Dr. Mustafa Göksu, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the State of Qatar; H.E. Mr. Mardomel Celo D. Melicor, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the State of Qatar; Predrag Bogosavljev, Director of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, along with members of the Local Organizing Committee.During the awards ceremony, Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al Buenain and Predrag Bogosavljev presented the championship trophy to the winners and runners-up, while also honoring the third and fourth-placed teams and presenting the tournament’s individual awards, including the All-Star Five Team, in a festive ceremony that reflected the success of the event.The top four teams shared the tournament’s prize fund, with champions Philippines receiving USD 20,000, runners-up Türkiye earning USD 10,000, third-placed France collecting USD 6,000, and fourth-placed Algeria  receiving USD 4,000.Among the individual awards, Miguel Hubillar was named Finals MVP, receiving USD 2,500, while Kenneth Gutierrez claimed the Defensive Player of the Tournament award, also worth USD 2,500. Each member of the All-Star Five Team received USD 1,000 in recognition of their outstanding performances throughout the tournament.On the occasion, Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al Buenain, Director General of the Local Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, said:“This tournament represents a pioneering and unprecedented experience in the Middle East, delivered through an innovative competition model inspired by the atmosphere of the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027. It also reflects Qatar’s commitment to the principles of sporting sustainability and its ambition to create a lasting global basketball legacy, while further promoting the game and expanding its fan base across the region.”He also expressed his appreciation to all partners and stakeholders involved in organizing the tournament, praising their efforts in delivering a successful international event that reflects Qatar’s vision of strengthening Doha’s position as a leading global destination for esports, while reinforcing sport’s role as a platform for bringing people together and building bridges of friendship between nations.Meanwhile, Mr. Predrag Bogosavljev FIBA World Basketball Cup Qatar 2027 Director, said:The successful conclusion of the eFIBA World Finals Qatar 2026 marks another significant milestone in Qatar's journey toward hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027. Throughout the competition, we witnessed the remarkable ability of esports to unite basketball fans, gamers, and young audiences from around the world, further strengthening the connection between the traditional game and the rapidly evolving digital sports landscape.""This event has played an important role in building excitement and engagement on the Road to Qatar 2027, while showcasing Qatar's outstanding organizational capabilities and commitment to innovation in sport. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Organizing Committee, FIBA, participating national teams, partners, and everyone who contributed to the success of this memorable championship. By successfully hosting the eFIBA World Finals for the second consecutive year, Qatar continues to demonstrate its leadership in advancing both basketball and esports on the global stage."Meanwhile, Ahmed Al-Meghaiseeb, Venue Readiness and Field Of Play Manager, affirmed that Qatar had successfully delivered the eFIBA World Finals Qatar 2026 – Season 4 to the highest international organizational, technical and operational standards. He added that esports play an important role in developing young people’s strategic thinking, enhancing reaction speed and concentration, improving analytical and planning abilities, strengthening decision-making under pressure, and cultivating effective problem-solving skills.

Hamad Dhawi Sets New Personal Best in Discus at Moulton Athletics Meeting

London: Team Qatar discus thrower Hamad Dhawi Al Sultan recorded a new personal best in the men’s discus throw at the Moulton International Open Athletics Meeting in Great Britain.Hamad produced a throw of 61.36 metres, setting a new personal record as well as a new Qatar Athletics Federation youth record in the event.His participation forms part of the Qatar Athletics Federation’s preparation programme for young athletes ahead of the World Athletics U20 Championships, which will be held next month in Eugene, Oregon, United States.Hamad secured qualification for the World Championships through his performance at the Arab U20 Athletics Championships and will be part of Qatar’s squad for the event, alongside a promising group of young athletes, including Mohammed Jamey, Abdulrazzaq Idris, and Mubarak Saeed

Qatar Beat India to Strengthen World Cup Qualification Campaign

Ahmedabad : Qatar’s senior national basketball team claimed an important 65–56 victory over India on Thursday in Ahmedabad, India, in the opening game of the third qualification window for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027.Playing in front of their home fans, India made the brighter start, winning the opening quarter 12–7 before extending their advantage with an 18–15 second quarter to take an eight-point lead into halftime.Qatar responded strongly after the break, turning the contest around with an impressive second-half display. The team claimed the third quarter 20–14 before dominating the final period 23–12 to complete a deserved comeback victory.Abdulrahman Saad starred for Qatar with a game-high 24 points, while Pranav Prince led the Indian team with 13 points.The victory lifted Qatar to eight points in Group D, while India remained on five points. It also marked Qatar’s second win over India in the qualifiers, having previously recorded a commanding 99–73 victory in Doha.Qatar will now turn their attention to their final game of the third qualification window against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on July 5 before continuing their journey in the next phase of the Asian qualifiers.The Qatari delegation is headed by Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, Secretary General of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams, accompanied by Team Manager Jassim Ibrahim Ashkanani and Assistant Team Manager Nabil Jumaa.The team is coached by Turkish head coach Hakan Demir, assisted by Cengiz Karadağ, Mirsad Memić, and Abdou Sow, with Mohamed Vural serving as strength and conditioning coach. The medical staff includes Dr. Adel Harmiyeh, Dr. Adel Salim, and Nikasio Sagaino.Qatar’s 12-player roster comprises Abdulrahman Saad, Mostafa Fouda, Omar Saad, Zeineddine Badr, Mohamed Hashem, Mostafa Nado, Babacar Dieng, Ousmane Dieng, Aladji Bobo Magassa, Alen Hadzibegović, Donte Grantham, and Mahmoud Darwish. 

eFIBA World Finals 2026 on the starting line for the first time in the Middle East

DOHA - The Qatari capital today marks the official tip off of the eFIBA World Finals Qatar Season 4, a joined collaboration of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Local Organizing Committee with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Qatar Esports Federation. The competition will take place at the Mall of Qatar on July 3 and 4, 2026.The event forms part of a broader program of promotional activities and preparations for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, scheduled to be held in Doha from August 27 to September 12, 2027, featuring some of the world’s top national teams and basketball stars.The eFIBA World Finals Qatar Season 4  brings together eight national teams from across the globe, divided into two groups. Group A includes Algeria, France, Germany, and the Philippines, while Group B features hosts Qatar, the Dominican Republic, Lebanon, and Türkiye. Each team will be represented by five players, bringing the total number of participants to 40 athletes.Day 1 action tips off on Friday morning, July 3, with a packed schedule of group-stage encounters, as France face the Philippines, Türkiye meet the Dominican Republic, Germany take on Algeria, and Lebanon play hosts Qatar. The action intensifies with further matchups including Germany against France, Lebanon versus Türkiye, Algeria against the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic facing Qatar, before the group stage concludes with France versus Algeria, Türkiye against Qatar, Germany meeting the Philippines, and Lebanon facing the Dominican Republic.Later the same day, the competition moves into the knockout stage, while Saturday, July 4, is dedicated to the final phase of the tournament, featuring decisive encounters leading to the grand finale, where the Season 4 eFIBA World Finals Qatar 2026 champion will be crowned.The total prize stands at USD 50,000, distributed among the top four teams across both team and individual categories. The champions will receive USD 20,000, the runners-up USD 10,000, the third-place team USD 6,000, and the fourth-place team USD 4,000.A range of individual awards will also be presented, including Defensive Player of the Tournament, Finals MVP, and the All-Star Five selection. The prize allocation includes USD 2,500 each for the Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Tournament, while each member of the All-Star Five will receive USD 1,000.The tournament reflects the nation’s vision to support sporting innovation and expand basketball’s presence within the esports ecosystem, serving as a strategic milestone on the road to Qatar’s hosting of the FIBA World Basketball Cup Qatar 2027, reinforcing the country’s growing global sporting profile.The first in-person event was held in 2023,the eFIBA Season 2 World Finals, in Jonkoping, Sweden, on November 25–26, featuring eight national teams: Brazil, France, Lebanon, Morocco, New Zealand, the Philippines, Türkiye, and the United States. The United States claimed the first-ever in-person world title, defeating France in the final, while Türkiye secured third place against the Philippines.The 2024 Season 3 World Finals took place in Clark, Philippines, on December11–12, featuring Algeria, Brazil, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the United States. The USA retained its world title after defeating Türkiye in the final.

Qatar to face India in Crucial FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifier

Ahmedabad: Qatar’s senior national basketball team will take on India on Wednesday at Veer Savarkar Hall in Ahmedabad in a key Group D encounter, as the third window of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 gets underway.Qatar enter the game determined to return to winning ways after their narrow defeat to Saudi Arabia and strengthen their position in the group standings ahead of the final qualification fixture.The match comes at an important stage of the campaign, with Lebanon and Saudi Arabia sharing the top spot on seven points following Lebanon’s victory over India. Qatar sit third on six points, while India are fourth with four points. All three of Qatar, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia have already secured progression to the second round of the Asian qualifiers.Head coach Hakan Demir has focused the team’s preparations on improving defensive organization, limiting transition opportunities, and increasing offensive efficiency as Qatar seek to produce a stronger all-around performance.The Qatari delegation is headed by Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, Secretary General of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams, accompanied by Team Manager Jassim Ibrahim Ashkanani and Assistant Team Manager Nabil Jumaa.The coaching staff is led by Hakan Demir and includes assistant coaches Cengiz Karadağ, Mirsad Memić, and Abdou Sow, with Mohamed Vural serving as strength and conditioning coach. The medical team consists of Dr. Adel Harmiya, Dr. Adel Selim, and Nikasio Sagaino.Qatar’s 12-player roster includes Abdulrahman Saad, Mostafa Fouda, Omar Saad, Zeineddine Badr, Mohamed Hashem, Mostafa Nado, Babacar Dieng, Ousmane Dieng, Aladji Bobo Magassa, Alen Hadzibegović, Donte Grantham, and Mahmoud Darwish.Following the India fixture, Qatar will conclude the third qualification window with an away match against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on July 5. 

Team Qatar Riders Set for Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL Monaco Leg

DOHA  – Team Qatar's riders are set to compete in the eighth leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour and the GCL (Global Champions League), taking place in Monaco from 2 to 4 July. The event will bring together the world's elite show jumpers to compete for prize money approaching €1 million across the competition.Hosted at the iconic Port Hercule, the Monaco leg will see Qatar's riders contest several classes, including the prestigious CSI5* competitions, which feature prize funds exceeding €350,000.Representing Qatar are Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani, Mohammed Al Baker, Rashid Al Marri, Ghanem Al Qadi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Nasser Al Ghazali, Sheikh Fahad bin Jassim Al Thani, and Mohammed Yousef Al Jaber.Following Monaco, the Longines Global Champions Tour will continue in Riesenbeck, Germany (16–19 July), before heading to London, England (7–9 August), the circuit's only stop in August.The championship will then move to Valkenswaard, the Netherlands (4–6 September) for the 12th leg, followed by Vienna, Austria (24–26 September), Rome, Italy (9–11 October), the spectacular Pyramids of Giza, Egypt (22–24 October), and Rabat, Morocco (30 October–1 November), before concluding with the GC Playoffs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 18 to 21 November 2026, bringing the season to a close.