Action during the Mini Basketball World Cup.
Doha, Qatar: The Philippine School and the Lebanese School qualified for the final of the 2025-2026 Mini Basketball World Cup after securing impressive semi-final victories over GEMS American Academy and Universal Academy, respectively, at the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) courts.
The first semi-final saw the Philippine School sealing a 69-53 victory to confirm its place in the final, while the Lebanese School claimed a dominant 66–31 win to reach the championship match. The third-place playoff between Universal Academy and GEMS American Academy is scheduled for today at the QBF courts.
The Lebanese School will face the Philippine School in the final on April 30 at Aspire Academy Arena, coinciding with the closing ceremony of the School Olympic Program season. Based on the final standings of the 2025–2026 season, each participating school in the second edition of the mini tournament (2026–2027) will have the opportunity to select the jersey of one of the national teams qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027.
A total of 32 secondary schools from across Qatar took part in the championship.
The Mini Basketball World Cup represents a pioneering initiative that combines both sporting and educational dimensions. It is being staged for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa under the supervision of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), in cooperation with the Qatar Basketball Federation and the Qatar School Sports Federation, using a modern competitive format inspired by the atmosphere of the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027.
The championship forms part of the Schools Olympic Program for the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 seasons, reflecting an integrated vision that blends competitive excellence with educational values, contributes to building a sports-educated generation, and strengthens the role of sport as a bridge for human connection and friendship among nations.
