TEHRAN - Saudi Arabia will host the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 for the second time in the history.

The last time that the Asia Cup was played in the country was in 1997, in Riyadh, where Korea lifted the trophy after beating Japan, 78-76, in the final. The hosts made it to their first-ever semi-finals as well, finishing in fourth place.

As there is continued growth for basketball in the region, the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 will engage millions of fans as Asia’s flagship event makes its return to the Persian Gulf.

“Today marks a pivotal moment as we entrust Saudi Arabia with the honor of hosting the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup in 2025. The build-up will be an exciting couple of years for basketball in Saudi Arabia, especially considering the development in the country over the past years,” FIBA Regional Office-Asia Executive Director Hagop Khajirian said.

Team Melli are drawn in Group E along with Kazakhstan, India and Qatar in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualification.

Iran are scheduled to meet Qatar on Feb 23, 2024.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, making a total of 12 teams.

The six third-place teams from each group, meanwhile, qualify to play in a final qualifying tournament. The top four teams from this tilt will qualify for the quadrennial continental conclave.