DOHA (Qatar) - Saudi Arabia temporarily surged to the top of Group D with a statement 86-80 victory over Qatar.
More importantly, they achieved their primary target of progressing to the Second Round of the World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
This is the second straight edition where Saudi Arabia have moved past the First Round, and they have done so in particularly impressive fashion, with two games to spare.
Facing Qatar in Doha, Saudi Arabia came out firing, building a 29-20 lead by the end of the first quarter. Thereafter, it was all about keeping a fighting Qatar at bay, which they did thanks to the double-digit scoring of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman (28 points), Mohammed Alsuwailem (20 points, 13 rebounds) and Mathna Almarwani (19 points).
In the upcoming Window 3, Saudi Arabia will face Lebanon on July 2, followed by Qatar again on July 5. Both will be home games in Jeddah.
World Cup Pedigree
Saudi Arabia
Number of participations: 0
Last participation: N/A
Best finish: N/A
Past Qualifiers
Edition | Record |
2023 (Did not qualify) | 3-7 (2nd in Group E - Second Round) |
2019 (Did not qualify) | Did not qualify for World Cup Qualifiers |
Who will they face in the Second Round?
Group F
The top three teams from Group B and Group D will form Group F in the Second Round, carrying over all results from the First Round.
Group B |
|
|---|---|
Qualified |
|
In contention | Japan, Korea, China, Chinese Taipei |
Eliminated |
|
Group D |
|
|---|---|
Qualified | Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon |
In contention |
|
Eliminated | India |
FIBA