India’s men’s and women’s 3×3 basketball teams are set to begin their campaigns at the upcoming FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2026, with both sides starting their journey in the qualification rounds scheduled for early April.
With limited slots available in the main draw and a compact format that leaves no room for error, the qualifiers will play a decisive role in determining whether India’s teams progress into the tournament’s elite stages.
The Indian women’s team will open their qualification campaign on April 2, where they face Malaysia and Turkmenistan in back-to-back fixtures. These matches will effectively determine their progression pathway, as only the winners of the qualification pool will advance to the main draw. Should India finish on top, they will move into the main pool alongside Mongolia and New Zealand two established 3×3 nations in the Asian circuit.
FIBA 3×3 Women Asia Cup 🏀
India Fixtures 🇮🇳
2 Apr – Malaysia 🇲🇾
2 Apr – Turkmenistan 🇹🇲
Indian Girls will start in the Qualifiers
Winners of Qualifiers will join Mongolia & New Zealand in Main Pool
Credit Zafaron
The format demands immediate execution, given the short duration of 3×3 contests and the absence of extended recovery time between games. Tactical discipline, transition defence, and perimeter shooting efficiency are expected to be critical factors against Malaysia, who traditionally rely on structured half-court sets, and Turkmenistan, whose physical approach often disrupts offensive rhythm.
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For the Indian women’s squad, beginning in the qualifiers presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While it places added pressure on the opening games, it also provides valuable match exposure before potentially facing stronger opponents in the main draw. Considering the growing depth in India’s women’s basketball ecosystem, particularly at the grassroots and university levels, progression into the next stage would mark a significant step forward in terms of continental competitiveness.
Meanwhile, the Indian men’s 3×3 team will begin their qualification campaign a day earlier on April 1, taking on Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, and Bahrain in what promises to be a tightly contested pool. The condensed round-robin format means India will have to navigate three fixtures within a single day, requiring both physical endurance and mental sharpness across successive matchups.
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Kazakhstan are expected to pose a serious threat with their inside scoring and rebounding strength, while Hong Kong’s quick ball movement and perimeter shooting could test India’s defensive rotations. Bahrain, on the other hand, have historically demonstrated an ability to disrupt pace through aggressive on-ball defence.
Should the Indian men’s team emerge as qualification winners, they will advance to the main pool where New Zealand and Qatar await. Both teams have consistently performed at the continental level, making progression from the qualifiers essential if India are to test themselves against higher-ranked opposition in the region.
FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 🏀
India Fixtures 🇮🇳
1 Apr – Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
1 Apr – Hong Kong 🇭🇰
1 Apr – Bahrain 🇧🇭
Indian Boys start in Qualifiers
Winners of Qualifiers will join New Zealand & Qatar in Main Pool
With Los Angeles 2028 on the horizon and 3×3 basketball continuing to grow as a fast-track Olympic discipline, performances at events like the Asia Cup carry increasing strategic importance in terms of ranking points, exposure, and developmental trajectory.
Unlike the traditional 5×5 format, the 3×3 game places a premium on individual shot creation, defensive switching, and rapid decision-making under time constraints. The qualification phase, therefore, becomes less about reputation and more about execution across 10-minute high-intensity contests.
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For both the Indian men’s and women’s teams, the immediate objective will be to secure qualification and move into the main draw where the opportunity to compete against some of Asia’s best will not only test their readiness but also contribute to the long-term evolution of India’s presence in the global 3×3 landscape.
