Qatar Hosts 3-Nation Basketball Friendly at Al Janoub Stadium

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August 11, 2026
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11-August-2026

Qatar Hosts 3-Nation Basketball Friendly at Al Janoub Stadium

DOHA - The Qatar Basketball Federation announces the organization of the international friendly tournament “3 Nations Friendly Games” featuring the national teams of Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. The competition will take place from August 20 to 22, 2026, at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, marking another milestone in Qatar’s basketball preparations for upcoming commitments, including the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 qualifiers and the Asian Games “Aichi-Nagoya 2026.”

The timing of the tournament is particularly significant for the Qatari national team, which is entering a busy phase of international and continental engagements. The three‑nation friendly games precede the fourth window of the Asian qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, followed shortly by preparations for the Asian Games in Japan this September.

For the Qatari coaching staff, the tournament provides a valuable opportunity to play a series of closely scheduled matches, assess the players’ technical and physical readiness, enhance team cohesion, and experiment with tactical options before resuming official competitions.

The “3 Nations Friendly Games” will unfold over three consecutive days, offering a competitive environment among three Gulf teams. Qatar opens its campaign against Bahrain on Thursday, August 20, at 7:00 PM at Al Janoub Stadium. Bahrain then faces Saudi Arabia on Friday, August 21, before Qatar concludes the tournament against Saudi Arabia on Saturday, August 22, also at 7:00 PM.

The friendly event comes just days before Qatar begins its fourth‑window qualifiers, starting with a home match against China on August 27 in Doha, followed by an away fixture against Japan on August 30. These matches are expected to be technically demanding, as Qatar faces experienced Asian opponents.

Qatar’s commitments continue in the subsequent qualification windows, hosting South Korea on November 26, 2026, and Japan on November 29 in Doha, before closing the second phase with away games against China on February 26, 2027, and South Korea on March 1, 2027.

Parallel to the World Cup qualifiers, Qatar will also compete in the Asian Games “Aichi-Nagoya 2026,” scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Japan. The men’s 5×5 basketball draw placed Qatar in Group B alongside Iran, Jordan, and Chinese Taipei, forming a strong group that requires thorough preparation.

The choice of Al Janoub Stadium as the venue carries special importance, as the facility has been converted and equipped from a football stadium into a basketball‑ready arena. The tournament will serve as a practical test of Al Janoub’s readiness to host basketball matches, including court setup, facilities, and operational aspects. This experience is crucial ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, which will be staged for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa region from August 27 to September 12, 2027, across the venues of Lusail, Duhail, Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, and Al Janoub.