JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia All eyes are on the King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah this evening as Saudi Arabia kicks off its FIBA Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a high-stakes opener against powerhouse China.
Historic Tournament on Saudi Soil
This year marks the first time the FIBA Asia Cup is held in Jeddah, and only the second time the Kingdom has hosted the continental tournament since Riyadh welcomed teams in 1997. That edition saw Saudi Arabia achieve its best-ever result—reaching the quarterfinals. With basketball gaining momentum locally in recent years, the Green Falcons are aiming to write a new chapter in their continental journey.
Tip-off Time:
6:00 PM (KSA time) — the whistle blows in Jeddah for a clash that could set the tone for Saudi Arabia’s ambitions in the tournament.
Broadcast Details
In the Middle East and North Africa, the game will be aired on beIN Sports 9, while fans worldwide can tune in via ESPN, which offers comprehensive global coverage of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
Additional international broadcasters will also stream matches across various continents, ensuring global access with high-definition feeds and expert analysis.
Saudi Arabia Seeks Perfect Start at Home
Backed by home fans and familiar territory, the Saudi team enters the match with high hopes of advancing beyond the group stage and perhaps reaching the semifinals for the first time in history.
The Green Falcons qualified both as tournament hosts and through the traditional qualification process, a rare dual-entry that boosts their momentum.
Group C Lineup
Saudi Arabia has been placed in Group C, alongside:
- China
- Jordan
- India
A balanced group that provides real opportunities for progression, either via direct qualification or through playoff rounds.
Saudi National Team Squad – FIBA Asia Cup 2025:
- Marzooq Al-Muwallad
- Mohammed Al-Marwani
- Mohammed Ali Abdulrahman
- Muthanna Al-Marwani
- Mohammed Al-Saqr
- Fahad Bilal
- Khaled Abduljabar
- Mohammed Al-Suwailim
- Ali Al-Shubaili
- Manaf Al-Salem
- Thamer Mohammed
- Musab Qadi
China Eyes a Comeback
China enters the match as the most decorated team in FIBA Asia Cup history with 16 titles. However, recent performances have not lived up to their legacy. The team is now seeking to reestablish dominance on the continental stage, rebuilding its identity as the once-unbeatable giant of Asian basketball.
FIBA Asia Cup 2025 – Tournament Format
- 16 teams divided into 4 groups
- Group Stage: Round-robin (one match per opponent)
- Group winners advance directly to the quarterfinals
- Second and third-placed teams enter a playoff round (cross-matches) to qualify for the last 8
- Knockout format from quarterfinals through to the final
Can Saudi Arabia Make History Again?
With fan support and home-court advantage, Saudi Arabia is poised for a memorable run. The key question: can the current generation of players surpass the 1997 milestone and make it all the way to the semifinals—or beyond?
Don’t miss a second of the action. Stream the match live now in HD and cheer for the Green Falcons.
This article was translated using AI from the original Arabic version published on Pressbee.https://ar.pressbee.net/show9810664.html
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