Doha [Qatar], March 28: The draw for the 13th edition of Qatar Men's Basketball Cup 2025-26 season has thrown up exciting contests. The draw was held at Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) headquarters on Thursday and attended by officials, club representatives, and the media, reflecting the importance and prestige of the tournament within the local competition calendar.
The draw ceremony was attended by Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, Secretary-General of QBF and Director of National Teams; Ahmed Yousef Al Darwish, Assistant Secretary-General of QBF and Chairman of the Competitions Committee; and Essam Lotfi, Technical Secretary of QBF.
The official match schedule and tournament format were announced, with the competition set to follow a knockout system through to the final, promising strong rivalries among participating teams.
The draw revealed intense quarter-final matchups scheduled for April 8 and 9, 2026. The quarter-finals will begin on Wednesday, April 8, with Al Sadd facing Al Ahli at 7pm, followed by Al Rayyan taking on Al Khor at 9pm at Al Rayyan Club Hall.
On Thursday, April 9, Al Wakrah will meet Qatar Club at 6pm, followed by Al Gharafa playing Al Shamal at 8pm. Both games will be played at Al Gharafa Hall.
In a notable development, Al Arabi await the winner of Al Sadd vs Al Ahli clash, with the match scheduled for Saturday, April 11, at 6pm at Al Gharafa Hall, to determine the semi-final qualifier.
The semi-finals are set for Monday, April 13, 2026. The first game will feature the winner of Al Wakrah vs Qatar Club against the winner of Al Gharafa vs Al Shamal. The second game will pit the winner of Al Rayyan vs Al Khor against the winner of Al Arabi vs Al Sadd/Al Ahli. Both semi-finals will be played at Al Gharafa Hall.
The grand final of the tournament will take place on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 6.30pm at Al Gharafa Hall, where the champion of the 13th edition of the Qatar Basketball Cup for the 2025-2026 season will be crowned.
Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari emphasized that the early announcement of the tournament schedule reflects the Federation's commitment to organizing the season in the best possible manner. He said: "We strive at the Qatar Basketball Federation to deliver a well-structured season from the outset. Announcing the Qatar Cup schedule early helps clubs prepare optimally and highlights the progress in our organizational standards."
Ahmed Yousef Al Darwish added that the knockout format ensures equal opportunities for all teams to compete. He noted: "The Competitions Committee has ensured competitive fairness and high technical readiness across all stages of the tournament. The Qatar Cup has always carried excitement and surprises, and the knockout system gives every team a full chance to contend until the end."
The golden record of the Qatar Basketball Cup reflects historic rivalries, with Al Gharafa holding the record for most titles (4), tied with Al Arabi. Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, and Al Sadd have each won the cup once, underscoring the strength and balance of competition throughout the tournament's history.
Source: Qatar Tribune
