DOHA: Suhail, a mascot inspired by a star deeply rooted in Qatar’s cultural heritage, has been unveiled as the official mascot of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, with less than a year remaining before the tournament begins in Doha.
Named after the Suhail star, known internationally as Canopus, the mascot reflects the Gulf region’s maritime and desert traditions, where the star has guided sailors, pearl divers and travellers for centuries.
Traditionally associated with the transition from intense summer heat to cooler temperatures, Suhail has long served as a natural seasonal marker across the Gulf.
The mascot’s design draws inspiration from meteorites and celestial elements, featuring a crystalline body with metallic fragments and illuminated surfaces symbolising strength, energy and the connection between earth and sky.
Abdulla Ali Al Mawlawi, Executive Director of Communications and Guest Relations at the Local Organising Committee, said the unveiling represented another significant step in Qatar’s preparations to host the global basketball showpiece.
“The unveiling of Suhail marks an important milestone in our preparations to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, with the official mascot reflecting our commitment to showcasing Qatar’s cultural identity and celebrating its rich heritage,” Al Mawlawi said.
He added that the mascot would help strengthen engagement with supporters of all ages while promoting the tournament in the coming months.
Al Mawlawi also emphasised the organisers’ commitment to using the World Cup to inspire younger generations to take up basketball and support the sport’s continued development in Qatar and across the region.
The mascot will feature prominently in promotional activities leading up to the tournament, helping build excitement among basketball fans worldwide.
