FIBA postpones World Cup qualifiers amid US-Israeli strikes on Iran

FIBA Postpones West Asian World Cup Qualifiers Amid Middle East Conflict

The International Basketball Federation has postponed all Group C and Group D games of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers that were scheduled for Monday, March 2, citing escalating conflict across the Middle East following joint US-Israeli military strikes on Iran.

Four Matches Shelved as Region Burns

FIBA announced the decision on Friday from its headquarters in Mies, Switzerland. “In light of the developments today in the region, FIBA has decided to postpone all games in groups C and D,” the governing body said in a statement. The four affected fixtures are Iran vs. Syria and Iraq vs. Jordan in Group C, and Lebanon vs. India and Qatar vs. Saudi Arabia in Group D.eurohoops

The postponed matches will be rescheduled to the same venues at the start of the third qualification window in late June, with exact dates to be confirmed.fiba

The decision followed the February 28 US-Israeli strikes on Iran, an operation Israel codenamed “Roaring Lion,” which targeted military sites and key officials across the country and resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones at Israel and US military installations across the Gulf, including targets in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Qatar Airways suspended all flights from Doha after Qatari airspace was closed.cnn

Indian Basketball Team Stranded in Doha

The Indian senior men’s national basketball team remains stuck in Qatar after completing their opening qualifier — a 73-99 loss to the hosts on Thursday. The squad was preparing to leave for their next match against Lebanon in Beirut, scheduled for March 3, when the crisis erupted.onmanorama

“We got to know about the situation when we were in the lobby checking out from our hotels because we’re leaving for the airport,” forward Pratyanshu Tomar told The Indian Express from Doha. Star player Pranav Prince told The Bridge that the team is searching for a way home but may have to remain in Qatar until flights resume.indianexpress

The Basketball Federation of India said it is “in continuous coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Embassy of India, Doha” to ensure the contingent’s safe return.onmanorama

Qualification Race on Hold

The postponement leaves Group D finely poised, with Lebanon, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia level at five points each, while India sits bottom with three points, according to Qatar Tribune. The 16-team Asian and Oceanian qualifying campaign, which began in November 2025 and runs through March 2027, remains on track in Groups A and B, which are unaffected by the regional crisis.qatar-tribune