Qatar Sport

Doha, Qatar: A glamorous draw ceremony held at the stunning Al Hazm Mall in Doha yesterday evening laid out the initial pathways for 80 nations who will be eying a berth at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, where 32 teams will compete for the prestigious Naismith Trophy. The draw ceremony, held in the presence of Qatar Olympic Committee President and Chairman of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Local Organizing Committee H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, saw the teams divided into 20 groups across four zones. Taking place across six windows between November 2025 and March 2027, the teams will be involved in 420 games, looking for a place in the August 27 to September 12, 2027 tournament which will make history as the first ever Basketball World Cup to be hosted in the Middle East. Qatar Olympic Committee President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and FIBA President Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers draw in Doha yesterday. FIBA President Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) and Local Organising Committee Director General Mohammed Saad Al Meghaiseeb as well as members of the FIBA Central Board attended the event along with more than 60 representatives from National Federations around the globe. The draw was conducted by FIBA Global Ambassador, three-time Olympic champion, and NBA legend Carmelo Anthony who was assisted by Qatar’s four-time Olympic medallist and the reigning world high jump champion Mutaz Barshim, four-time Olympic gold winner Mo Farah, and GGC basketball legend and 3x3 world champion Yassin Mousa of Qatar in the presence of FIBA head of Competitions Fabien Hoeppe. The draw took place in the background of the glittering Naismith Trophy, brought on stage by FIBA Basketball World Cup 2002 MVP, former Germany national team captain and basketball great Dirk Nowitzki. Hosts Qatar were drawn in Group D of the Asia and Oceania region qualifiers, along with Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and India. Read Also Badji’s penalty heroics send Umm Salal into Amir Cup semi-finals; Al Ahli edge Al Shahania in extra-time Qatar welcomes decision by Kurdistan Workers' Party to disarm, disband Trump says to remove US sanctions on Syria Qatar are already qualified, with their spot being in addition to the seven reserved to the continent. In the first round, the 16 teams will be divided into four groups of four. Each team will face the other three in their group on a home and away basis over the first three windows, with two games per team played in each window in November 2025, February 2026, and July 2026. The African and American qualifiers will also include 16 teams each, divided into four groups. Europe will see 32 teams divided into eight groups, with the holders Germany tipping off their title-defence journey in Group E, along with Cyprus, Israel and a qualifier. Five-time winners USA will face Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and a qualifier in Group A in the Americas region. Speaking at the draw ceremony, QBF President Al Meghaiseeb said the 2027 World Cup will be unforgettable. “Basketball’s journey in our country began on 24 October 1973, when visionary leaders first brought Qatar into the global basketball family. Since then, with the steadfast support of the Qatar Olympic Committee and many dedicated partners, our game has flourished,” Al Meghaiseeb said while welcoming the attendees. “Today we take the next bold step: hosting the first FIBA World Cup in which every game will be played in a single city. For 17 unforgettable days, Doha will become basketball’s world capital, giving players, fans, and officials the rare chance to share every tip‑off, every buzzer‑beater, and every celebration together.” FIBA Secretary General Zagklis said the qualifiers are a special part of the journey towards the Qatar 2027. Mutaz Barshim picks Qatar as Carmelo Anthony (left) applauds during the draw. “The World Cup is not a three-week event. The World Cup is, in reality, more than two years. So the qualifiers are a long journey, every three months playing home and away,” Zagklis added. The upcoming edition of the World Cup will also make history as the first time that will see all the matches take place in a single city. “This is the first time, the first World Cup where all 32 teams play in the same place, in the same city. So as of tonight we will have a schedule of 420 games, but all roads lead to Doha,” the FIBA Secretary General said. FIBA BASKETBALL WORLD CUP QATAR 2027 QUALIFIERS DRAW Asia and Oceania Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Guam Group B: Japan, China, South Korea, Chinese Taipei Group C: Iran, Jordan, Syria, Iraq Group D: Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, India, Qatar Africa Group A: Cameroon, South Sudan, Libya, Cape Verde Group B: Senegal, DR Congo, Madagascar, Ivory Coast Group C: Nigeria, Rwanda, Guinea, Tunisia Group D: Mali, Angola, Uganda, Egypt Americas Group A: United States, Dominican Republic, Winner PQ N, Nicaragua Group B: Puerto Rico, Canada, Bahamas, Second place PQ N Group C: Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Winner PQ S Group D: Argentina, Uruguay, Panama, Second place PQ S Europe Group A: Second place SR D, Georgia, Winner SR A, Spain Group B: Greece, Montenegro, Portugal, Winner SR B Group C: Serbia, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Second place SR A Group D: Great Britain, Italy, Iceland, Lithuania Group E: Winner SR D, Germany, Israel, Cyprus Group F: Latvia, Poland, Second place SR C, Winner SR C Group G: Second place SR B, France, Belgium, Finland Group H: Slovenia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Estonia

Football

Doha, Qatar: Goalkeeper Landing Badji was the hero as Umm Salal reached the Amir Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history, pulling off three stunning saves in a dramatic penalty shootout win over Al Shamal at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium. The Senegalese shot-stopper denied Baghdad Bounedjah, Younes Belhanda and Mohamed Musa, securing a 3-2 shootout victory after the teams played out a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes yesterday. Al Shamal’s goalkeeper Abdallaelrady Elrady briefly kept his side in the contest by blocking Ali Al-Muhannadi’s effort, but Victor Lekhal, Antonio Mance and Ahmed Mohammed all converted for Umm Salal to seal a historic win for the Orange Fortress. Earlier, Naim Sliti had put Al Shamal ahead in the 53rd minute, finishing a swift counter-attack initiated by Omar Mohammed. Umm Salal responded through Mance, who made up for an earlier miss by capitalising on a defensive error from Musa, calmly firing home from the edge of the box. With no breakthrough in extra time, it was Badji who sealed the moment for the ages. Meanwhile, Al Ahli came from behind to defeat Al Shahania 2-1 in extra time, with Sekou Oumar Yansane scoring the decisive goal at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Al Shahania struck early through Hamdi Naguez, who headed in after Moaz Tawhed’s long-range shot struck the crossbar in the 7th minute. Al Ahli pressed for an equaliser, with Yansane narrowly missing before Hamad Mansour finally leveled the score in the 68th minute, finishing neatly after receiving a left-sided cross. In the 100th minute, Bahaa Mamdouh Ellethy’s lofted ball into the box caused confusion, and goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy failed to collect, allowing Yansane to pounce and seal a dramatic win for Al Ahli. Read Also FIBA World Cup Qatar 2027 qualifiers draw Kohli, Rohit exits leave India facing uncertain new era Murray splits from tennis great Djokovic Al Sadd take on Al Gharafa;Al Duhail face Al Rayyan Today, reigning Qatar Stars League and Qatar Cup champions Al Sadd will face Al Gharafa at Al Thumama Stadium, aiming to reach the semi-finals and stay on course for a domestic treble. Al Sadd recently lifted their second trophy of the season, edging Al Duhail in a penalty shootout in the Qatar Cup final. Head coach Felix Sanchez said his side is eager to maintain their title-winning momentum. “We just played a tough Qatar Cup final, and now face a quarter-final against a strong Al Gharafa side. Recovery is key, and we are focused. The players are ready. This match defines our path, and we aim to move forward,” said Sanchez. Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge but said his squad is motivated to end the season on a high. “The Amir Cup is vital for us. It’s the season’s last tournament, and we aim to finish strong. The team is motivated, prepared and eager to qualify. We face Al Sadd with ambition and focus – ready to meet the challenge head-on,” Martins said. Later in the evening, Al Duhail will take on Al Rayyan in the last quarter-final at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Coach Christophe Galtier said Al Duhail are determined to finish the season with silverware after finishing runners-up in both the Qatar Stars League and the Qatar Cup. “The Amir Cup is crucial, our last chance this season. Al Rayyan are organised and strong. We’re confident and focused, not under pressure. The players know this tournament’s value,” Galtier said. Al Rayyan coach Artur Jorge said his players are fully motivated and confident heading into the key clash. “Facing Al Duhail is a tough, defining challenge. The Amir Cup is special and different, and everyone wants it. My players are motivated, ambitious and understand what this tournament means. We respect Al Duhail, but we’re ready,” Jorge said. AMIR CUP 2025 QUARTER-FINALS RESULTS Al Ahli 2-1 Al Shahania Umm Salal 1-1 (3-2 pen) Al Shamal Today Al Gharafa vs Al Sadd at Al Thumama Stadium (5:15pm) Al Rayyan vs Al l Duhail at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (8:15pm)

Qatar Sport

Doha: Nations gearing up to open the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 qualifying journey will know their respective opponents today. Follow the developments here. === Americas & Europe NOTE: Empty slotsare yet to be determined after the separate FIBABasketball World Cup 2027 pre-qualifiersfor the Americas andEuropedestined for August 2025. --- African qualifiers set ---- Asian qualifiers group stage