Qatar Basketball Team Kicks Off 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Prep in South Korea

The Qatar men’s basketball team has begun its overseas training camp in Seoul, South Korea, as part of their preparations for the 31st FIBA Asia Cup. Scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17, 2025, the tournament will feature Asia’s top 16 national teams.

During this training camp, Qatar will engage in two friendly matches against the host nation, South Korea. The first match is set for July 18, 2025, at 13:00 Doha time, followed by a second game on July 20, 2025, at 09:00.

Strategic Preparation and Team Composition

Under the guidance of Turkish coach Hakan Demir, the Qatar squad comprises 16 players, including notable athletes such as Omar Mohammed Saad, Abdulrahman Saad, and Ahmed Saeed Mohammed. The training camp marks the third phase of a comprehensive preparation program aimed at enhancing both technical skills and team cohesion.

President of the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF), Mohammed bin Saad Al-Mughaiseeb, highlighted the camp’s importance, stating, “This training camp is a critical step in our preparation for the FIBA Asia Cup. We are focusing on every detail to ensure the team is ready both technically and organizationally.” He also expressed confidence in the team’s potential to meet the expectations of Qatari fans.

Al-Mughaiseeb noted that the camp also allows for collaboration with the Korean Basketball Association, fostering growth and expertise through joint training activities and friendly matches.

Upcoming Matches and Tournament Structure

Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari, Director of National Teams and QBF Secretary-General, emphasized the significance of competing against a team of South Korea’s caliber. “Facing a team of South Korea’s caliber provides our players with high-level exposure that will directly enhance our collective performance,” he stated. “We are committed to preparing the team to its fullest potential for the continental championship.”

After the South Korea camp, the team will return to Doha for the fourth phase of their preparation. This includes participating in an international friendly tournament at Lusail Multipurpose Hall from July 28 to August 1, 2025, featuring teams from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Japan.

Qatar’s preparations began in June with a training camp in Turkey from June 19 to July 3, 2025, which involved intensive drills and scrimmages. Following this, the team held a domestic camp and played two friendly matches against India on July 11 and 13.

In the draw for the FIBA Asia Cup, Qatar finds itself in Group A alongside Australia, South Korea, and Lebanon. The team will kick off its campaign with a much-anticipated match against Lebanon on August 6, 2025.

The tournament will follow a group-stage format, where the top team from each group will advance directly to the quarterfinals. The second- and third-placed teams will compete in crossover playoffs to determine the remaining quarterfinalists.