Courtside Global

The national teams of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan will participate in an international tournament taking place from February 20 to February 24 in the UAE, as part of their preparation for the upcoming FIBA international window and World Cup qualifiers. The UAE, coming off an impressive showing in the Dubai Tournament, will host the event, continuing their momentum and testing their squad against two strong regional opponents. The tournament will offer valuable minutes, lineup experimentation, and competitive rhythm for all three teams ahead of important continental commitments. With experienced cores, naturalized talent, and emerging local players, the three rosters reflect a growing level of competitiveness in  Below are the announced rosters for each national team: 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates – Roster # Player Name Position Height (cm) Birth Year Club 2 Ahmed Albreiki PG 175 1994 Shabab Al Ahli 3 Hamid Albreiki F 190 2000 Shabab Al Ahli 4 Mohamed Alhashmi G 1...

Image : UAE Basketball Association  The curtain has officially closed on the 35th Dubai Basketball Championship 2026, and once again the tournament delivered a week full of intensity, surprises, and high-level international competition. From the group stage all the way to the final day, Dubai reaffirmed its place as one of the region’s most important basketball showcases. The last day featured two key matchups that drew plenty of attention: the third-place game between Beirut First Club and Al-Ittihad, and the championship final between the UAE National Team and Club Africain. Both games carried pressure, storylines, and something to prove. Club Africain of Tunisia completed an impressive tournament by defeating the UAE National Team 93–77 in the final. The game was largely decided early, as Club Africain came out aggressive and poured in 37 points in the first quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the night. Their physical play, ball movement, and shot-making were consistent f...

Some games are decided early. Others stay close. And then there are games like this one — the kind that keeps everyone on edge until the very last possession. In a dramatic clash at the Dubai Basketball Championship 2026, UAE National Team edged Al Ittihad Libya 97–96 in a game that had everything: big shots, momentum swings, star performances, and a heartbreaking finish for the Libyan side. Image : FIBA From the opening tip, both teams made it clear this would be a battle. Al Ittihad started strong, taking the first quarter 24–21 behind aggressive drives and solid interior finishing. UAE answered in the second quarter, tightening their defense and moving the ball well to narrow the gap, but Al Ittihad still entered halftime with a slim 53–47 lead. The third quarter turned into a trading-buckets affair. Every UAE run was matched by an Al Ittihad response, as neither team managed to create real separation. Heading into the final quarter, the scoreboard reflected how evenly matched these...

After an exciting group stage filled with close games, big performances, and a few surprises, the tournament now moves into its most important phase: the knockout rounds. Eight teams remain, and every game from here on is win-or-go-home. Group A was dominated by the UAE National Team, who finished a perfect 4–0. They looked organized, deep, and confident from the opening day, sending a clear message that they are serious contenders for the title. Behind them, Al-Wahda and Al-Ittihad both closed the group with 2–2 records, showing solid consistency, while Al-Nasr and Homs Al-Fidaa ended their campaigns at 1–3 and will not advance. Group B was much tighter. Club Africain and Al-Ahli Tripoli both finished at 3–1, separating themselves at the top with strong, disciplined performances. Beirut First Club ended the group in third place at 2–2, earning a well-deserved spot in the quarter-finals, while Al-Karameh and Zamboanga Valientes finished at 1–3. Now, attention turns to the quarter-final...