Qatar face China in crucial start to FIBA World Cup qualifying campaign
DOHA : Qatar begin their second-stage campaign in the Asian qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 against China on Thursday, with the hosts seeking a positive start to the fourth qualifying window.
The match tips off at 7 p.m. local time at Al Janoub Arena, which will host basketball for the first time. The venue, with a capacity of about 8,200, is being used as part of Qatar’s preparations to host the World Cup next year.
Qatar face a formidable opponent in China, who have won all six previous FIBA meetings between the teams. China won their most recent encounter 92-67 at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, while previous victories included a 89-65 win in 2015, 96-85 in 2013 and 92-61 in 2009.
The Qatari team have undergone an intensive preparation programme, including a training camp in Turkey where the squad worked on its physical and technical conditioning while testing tactical options ahead of the qualifiers.
Qatar will travel to face Japan on Aug. 30 before hosting Korea on Nov. 26 and Japan three days later in Doha. They will then play China away on Feb. 26, 2027, followed by another away match against Korea on March 1.
The qualifiers are part of a busy period for Qatar, who will also compete at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Qatar have been drawn in Group B alongside Iran, Jordan and Chinese Taipei. They will open their campaign against Iran on Sept. 10, face Jordan two days later and complete the group stage against Chinese Taipei on Sept. 13.
The 2027 World Cup will be hosted by Qatar, adding significance to the national team’s qualifying campaign as it prepares for the global tournament on home soil.
