Qatar’s national basketball team is set to begin its campaign at the 2026 Asian Games with an opening match against Iran on Thursday. The 20th edition of the Asian Games is taking place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.
Qatar has been drawn into Group B alongside Iran, Jordan, and Chinese Taipei. Following their opening game, Qatar will face Jordan on Saturday before concluding the preliminary round with a match against Chinese Taipei on Sunday. The men’s basketball tournament includes 12 teams divided into three groups: Group A features Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia; Group B consists of Qatar, Iran, Jordan, and Chinese Taipei; and Group C is composed of China, the Philippines, Bahrain, and Kazakhstan. The knockout rounds will follow the group stage, with the final scheduled for Sunday, September 20, to determine the men’s basketball champion.
The Qatari team arrived in Japan having completed a preparation camp in Turkey last month and recently contested two games against China and Japan during the second round of the Asian qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, which Qatar will host.
Despite heavy rain that struck the Nagoya region earlier this week, officials have assured that competition venues remain operational. On Tuesday, torrential rain prompted an emergency flood warning for a major local river, affecting roads, railways, and infrastructure. Some venues experienced minor water intrusion from the roofs, but Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa confirmed that these issues would not impact the opening ceremony or the schedule of the Games.
The 2026 Asian Games will host over 17,000 athletes and officials, surpassing the participation numbers typically seen at the Olympic Games. Qatar’s delegation comprises 243 athletes—184 men and 59 women—competing across 18 sports federations. Beyond basketball, Qatari athletes will participate in a wide range of events including athletics, football, 3x3 basketball, handball, volleyball, beach volleyball, squash, padel, taekwondo, judo, artistic gymnastics, golf, shooting, swimming, jiu-jitsu, esports, sailing, equestrian, karate, fencing, archery, wrestling, boxing, weightlifting, and table tennis.
At the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in 2023, Qatar secured a total of 14 medals, which included five golds, six silvers, and three bronzes. The nation aims to build on this success and elevate its profile on the regional sporting stage through strong performances in Aichi-Nagoya.