Doha, February 27 (QNA) - The Qatar men's national basketball team opened its campaign in the second window of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup – Qatar 2027 with an important victory over India, winning 99–73 in a match held on Friday evening, February 27, 2026, at Lusail Multipurpose Hall. The game was played in front of an enthusiastic crowd that created a highly competitive atmosphere from the opening tip to the final buzzer.

The Asian and Oceanian Qualifiers feature 16 teams divided into four groups. Group A includes Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Guam; Group B features Japan, China, South Korea, and Taiwan; Group C comprises Iran, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq; while Group D consists of Qatar, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and India. The top three teams from each group advance to the second round, where they will be split into two new groups. From there, three teams from each group plus the best fourth-placed team will qualify for the World Cup finals.

President of the Qatar Basketball Federation Mohammed bin Saad Al Mughaiseeb praised the players' performance: "The team is on the right track. The win against India reflects serious preparations for the upcoming stages. The players showed great focus and tactical discipline, using both individual and collective experience to secure victory. This win gives us strong momentum ahead of the decisive clash with Saudi Arabia."

Secretary General of the Federation and Director of National Teams Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari added: "The players delivered excellent performances across all four quarters, proving the team can manage games professionally. The win strengthens our position in the group and boosts confidence before facing Saudi Arabia, which will determine the standings. Our focus remains on executing tactical plans and maintaining team cohesion." (QNA)