Qatar gets one step closer to 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup with qualifiers draw
The country is gearing up in earnest for the historic FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, which is coming to the Middle East for the first time.
Set to be held from August 27 to September 12, 2027, the tournament is expected to be an important event that will take basketball to the next level in the region.
May 13 marked an important day for 80 teams looking to qualify for the competition in Doha. A glamorous draw ceremony, held at the stunning Al Hazm Mall, laid out the initial pathways for them to become one of 32 sides to fight for the prestigious Naismith Trophy.
The draw ceremony was held in the presence of Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, who is also Chairman of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Local Organizing Committee.
The 80 teams, divided into 20 groups across four zones, will play 420 matches across six windows, between November 2025 and March 2027.
FIBA President Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) and Local Organising Committee Director General Mohammed Saad Al Meghaiseeb, as well as members of the FIBA Central Board attended the event.
Al Meghaiseeb, speaking at the ceremony, said the 2027 World Cup would be an unforgettable event.
'Basketball's journey in our country began on October 24, 1973, when visionary leaders first brought Qatar into the global basketball family. Since then, with the steadfast support of the Qatar Olympic Committee and many dedicated partners, our game has flourished,' he said, while welcoming the attendees.
'Today, we take the next bold step — hosting the first FIBA World Cup in which every game will be played in a single city. For 17 unforgettable days, Doha will become basketball's world capital, giving players, fans, and officials the rare chance to share every tip‑off, every buzzer‑beater, and every celebration together.'
FIBA Secretary General Zagklis said the qualifiers were a special part of the journey towards Qatar 2027.
'The World Cup isn't a three-week event. The World Cup is, in reality, more than two years. So the qualifiers are a long journey, every three months playing home and away,' he said.
The 2027 World Cup will also be the first time when all the matches will take place in a single city.
'This is the first time where the 32 teams of the World Cup will all play in the same place, in the same city. So as of tonight, we'll have a schedule of 420 games, but all roads lead to Doha,' he added.
FIBA Global Ambassador — three-time Olympic champion and NBA legend Carmelo Anthony — conducted the draw. He was assisted by Qatar's legendary high jumper Mutaz Barshim, four-time Olympic gold winner Mo Farah, and Gulf basketball legend and 3x3 world champion Yassin Mousa, in the presence of FIBA head of Competitions Fabien Hoeppe.
Hosts Qatar are drawn in Group D of the Asia and Oceania region qualifiers, along with Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and India.
Qatar are already qualified, with their spot being in addition to the seven reserved to the continent. In the first round, the 16 teams will be divided into four groups of four. Each team will face the other three in their group on a home and away basis over the first three windows, with two games per team played in each window in November 2025, February 2026, and July 2026.
The African and American qualifiers will also include 16 teams each, divided into four groups. Europe will see 32 teams divided into eight groups, with the holders Germany tipping off their title-defence journey in Group E, along with Cyprus, Israel and a qualifier. Five-time winners USA will face Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and a qualifier in Group A in the Americas region. FIBA BASKETBALL WORLD CUP QATAR 2027 QUALIFIERS DRAW ASIA/OCEANIA
Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Guam
Group B: Japan, China, South Korea, Chinese Taipei
Group C: Iran, Jordan, Syria, Iraq
Group D: Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, India, Qatar AFRICA
Group A: Cameroon, South Sudan, Libya, Cape Verde
Group B: Senegal, DR Congo, Madagascar, Ivory Coast
Group C: Nigeria, Rwanda, Guinea, Tunisia
Group D: Mali, Angola, Uganda, Egypt AMERICAS
Group A: United States, Dominican Republic, Winner PQ N, Nicaragua
Group B: Puerto Rico, Canada, Bahamas, Second place PQ N
Group C: Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Winner PQ S
Group D: Argentina, Uruguay, Panama, Second place PQ S EUROPE
Group A: Second place SR D, Georgia, Winner SR A, Spain
Group B: Greece, Montenegro, Portugal, Winner SR B
Group C: Serbia, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Second place SR A
Group D: Great Britain, Italy, Iceland, Lithuania
Group E: Winner SR D, Germany, Israel, Cyprus
Group F: Latvia, Poland, Second place SR C, Winner SR C
Group G: Second place SR B, France, Belgium, Finland
Group H: Slovenia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Estonia
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The average for the Champions League last season was just under 46,000, according to soccer data website Transfermarkt, but like-for-like comparisons are difficult, given this is a totally new format bringing club teams from around the world to the U.S. At the 2022 men's World Cup in Qatar there was an average attendance of just under 50,000 per game for the opening week. Of the 20 games played over that period, the highest attendance was 88,103 and all but two of those games had crowds in excess of 40,000. Looking ahead to the World Cup Focus on the Club World Cup has been intense for more than one reason. There is still uncertainty over how much of an appetite there is among fans for another elite soccer tournament and it was unknown how many would be prepared to follow their team to the U.S. According to FIFA, the biggest take up of tickets from abroad was from Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. 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