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, Lebanon On 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."
