Doha : The Qatari capital Doha is preparing to welcome delegations participating in the Gulf qualifiers for the FIBA U18 Asian Championship, with final arrangements completed to host the tournament at Al Gharafa Sports Hall from July 25 to 30, 2026. The event will feature national teams from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, marking a pivotal stage in the Gulf nations’ journey toward the continental finals.
The organizing committee has confirmed the revised schedule, moving the competition to July 25–30 instead of the previously announced July 17–22. The five teams will compete in a single round‑robin format, with the top three earning direct qualification to the U18 Asian Championship in India this August.
The qualifiers carry exceptional significance, serving not only as the gateway to the continental tournament but also as the first step toward the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. The top four teams from the Asian Championship will advance to the World Cup, scheduled in the Czech Republic from June 26 to July 4, 2027.
Competition begins Saturday, July 25, with Kuwait facing Oman at 4:00 p.m., followed by Saudi Arabia against Bahrain at 6:00 p.m. On Sunday, July 26, Bahrain meets Kuwait at 4:00 p.m., before Qatar opens its campaign against Saudi Arabia at 6:00 p.m. The schedule continues with Oman vs. Bahrain and Qatar vs. Kuwait on July 27, Saudi Arabia vs. Kuwait on July 28, Qatar vs. Oman on July 29, and concludes July 30 with Oman vs. Saudi Arabia at 4:00 p.m. and Qatar vs. Bahrain at 6:00 p.m.—a match likely decisive in determining the Asian qualifiers.
Qatar’s team enters the tournament with high hopes of leveraging home advantage and strong fan support to secure one of the three qualification spots, following an intensive preparation program. The squad recently completed a training camp in Yalova, Turkey (July 6–15), which included four friendlies against Turkish clubs and a match against Turkey’s U18 national team. The camp aimed to strengthen team cohesion, enhance technical and physical readiness, and allow the coaching staff to test tactical options ahead of official competition.
The delegation was headed by Khalid Ahmed Al‑Mughni. The technical staff is led by Turkish coach Cengiz Karadağ, assisted by Abdo Al‑Harji, Hashem Zeidan, and Mounir Ben Ghalla, with Kenan as fitness coach and Saif Al‑Hamandi as physiotherapist. Administrative staff include Omar Ahmed and Ayoub Lotfi.
Qatar’s 11‑player roster features: Tamim Ashraf Abu Issa, Mishal Khalid Al‑Mughni, Moaz Omar Mousa, Azzam Mohammed Yaken, Ziad Tamer Al‑Johari, Mohammed Saeed Badri, Mahmoud Tamer Ibrahim, Amer Ibrahim Mousa, Owen Ikina, Youssef Walid Abdelqader, and Shahi Mohammed.
The organizing committee is committed to delivering a distinguished edition of the qualifiers, both technically and logistically, in line with Qatar’s renowned reputation for hosting major sporting events. Strong competition is anticipated among Gulf teams eager to claim the three qualification spots and continue their journey toward the Asian finals—and ultimately the dream of reaching the U19 World Cup.
