After 13 years, Lebanon will participate in the FIBA World Cup. In 2006, they won the first, and then lost the next four games.
In this article, you will have the opportunity to learn about the national team that is currently 43rd in the FIBA Ranking.
FIBA World Cup – Lebanon: Previous editions and the best results of the national team
Lebanon is coming to the FIBA World Cup for the first time since 2010. This will be their fourth appearance. The first time was in Indianapolis, when they took the last place out of 16 teams that competed. Four years later, they finished 17th in the world, and in 2010, out of 24 selections, they were 20th.
FIBA World Cup – Lebanon: Road to Mundobasket
Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia were their rivals during the first round of qualifiers. Their good form brought them five wins and only one loss. This continued in the second phase when New Zealand, the Philippines and India joined them.
They collected a total of seven wins, in order to secure a place at Mundobasket as many as three rounds before the end. With a 7-3 record, they booked their ticket to Jakarta from the first position.
FIBA World Cup – Lebanon: Roster and focus on those who are expected the most
Five players averaged double figures during the qualifiers. The best of them was Wael Arakji with 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and almost three assists. He played eight games in that span and shot a fantastic 51% from the field.
He was followed by guard Amir Saoud with an identical number of games and an average of 15.4 points. Sergio El Darwich also fills the backcourt. Looking at the statistical parameters, he is the best shooter of this team, which is confirmed by the 55% success rate from the field. His averages of 13.9 points and 3.6 assists make him the best passer in this national team.
Ali Haidar dominates the paint. He contributes in the form of 13.4 points and 6.5 rebounds and will be the first option in center position in this national team.
Hayk Gyokchyan and Karim Zeinoun are an important part of the Lebanese basketball mosaic. This is supported by the fact that during the qualifiers they played 11 games, as team leaders. Jad Khalil and Ali Mezher will also find their name on the list, and the duo of Yousef Khayat – Mark Khoury is worth mentioning among the younger players.
FIBA World Cup – Lebanon: More about head coach – Jad El Hajj
After ending his playing career in 2005 when he retired as a player for Champville in Lebanon, Jad El Hajj had an interesting journey. He previously won a medal for Lebanon in 2001 when his team finished second at the FIBA Asian Championship.
Immediately after the end of his career, he was elected Minister of Sports and Youth, which speaks volumes about his qualities both on and off the field.
“My players have a really big heart” – was his comment a year ago during a series of good run by Lebanon. Their heart brought them to the World Cup, with fantastic results during the qualifiers.
![FIBA World Cup Preview Lebanon Jad El Hajj](https://basketballsphere.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FIBA-Svetsko-prvenstvo-Jad-El-Hajj.jpg)
FIBA World Cup – Lebanon: Expectations
After draw for the World Cup, we can ask two questions when it comes to the Lebanese national team. Did they achieve their maximum? And can they spoil the plans of more talented teams from group H (France, Canada and Latvia).
It would really be unexpected if Lebanon achieve a single win in this group as we said before, the heart brought them to Mundobasket. We are afraid that it will not be enough against those whose goal is to win a medal.