Federation (FIBA) to host the 2027 edition of the prestigious men’s World Cup in basketball. FIBA did not disclose if there were any other contenders for the hosting rights.
According to FIBA, Doha will serve as the sole venue for all games in the 32-team tournament. This decision was based on the city’s upgraded subway and public transport networks, which were completed for the men’s soccer World Cup held in November and December last year. FIBA highlighted the convenience for fans, as all tournament venues will be located within a 30-minute distance from each other, allowing fans to plan in advance and enjoy a unique experience. The governing body also emphasized the environmental aspect, stating that the event will be delivered as a carbon-neutral occasion with the utilization of widely used green technologies.
As the host nation, Qatar’s national basketball team, currently ranked 89th globally, will automatically qualify for the tournament. Qatar’s last appearance in the event was at the 2006 world championship, where they lost all five of their games.
In addition to the men’s World Cup, FIBA announced that the 2026 edition of the women’s World Cup will be hosted by Germany in Berlin. The 16-team tournament will take place in the German capital.
Qatar becomes the third consecutive Asian host for the men’s basketball tournament, following China in 2019 and the upcoming edition to be jointly hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from August 25 to September 12. Spain is the defending champion.
Qatar’s impressive track record in sports hosting extends beyond the FIFA World Cup. The basketball World Cup will be one of the major events leading up to its hosting of the 2030 Asian Games, which will utilize some of the stadiums constructed for the soccer tournament.
While Qatar has a long-term goal of hosting the Olympic Games, the next available Summer Games are scheduled for 2036, as hosts have already been selected for 2028 and 2032. Doha was preparing a bid for the 2032 Olympics when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) swiftly chose Brisbane as the host city.
Among the 100 members of the IOC is Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who became one of the organization’s youngest-ever members at the age of 22 in 2002.
Doha made unsuccessful attempts to secure hosting rights for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, as the IOC insisted on the games being held in July and August when temperatures in Doha routinely exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
