DOHA (Qatar) - Bahrain and Qatar completed the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 picture after finishing as the top two teams in the GBA Qualifiers held from July 25-30 at the Al-Gharafa Sports Club Multi-Purpose Hall.
Bahrain emerged as champions after completing a mighty 4-game sweep of the meet, punctuated by a dominant 77-45 conquest of the host nation in the final game of the week-long festivities at the Qatari capital.
Hassan Abdulkadir led Bahrain with 22 points and 20 rebounds. Somto Patrick came through with his own double-double of 16 & 19 as the former U16 standouts showed their readiness for the tournament proper.
Mahdi Baqer delivered 11 points and 9 assists for Bahrain, who are going to the U18 Asia Cup for the first time since 2018 in Nonthaburi, Thailand, where they finished 7th in the contest eventually ruled by Australia.
Qatar, on the other hand, were led by Abdulla Mousa with 18 points as the second-generation star appears to be headed for his fourth U18 Asia Cup stint.
Also the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 hosts, Qatar are bound for their third straight appearance in the biennial youth competition and are hoping to reach the Semi-Finals - something they haven't done since 2002.
Bahrain and Qatar will be joining defending champs Australia, hosts India, China, Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran in Ahmedabad.
The FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 is set on August 13-23.
Click here for the complete results and stats from the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 GBA Qualifiers
FIBA