Men's basketball World Cup headed to Qatar in 2027

Qatar is going to host another World Cup, adding basketball to the sports portfolio of a tiny country with long-term Olympic hosting ambitions.

The International Basketball Federation picked Qatar to host the 2027 edition of its marquee men's World Cup on Friday. There was no vote between competing bids.

Doha will stage every game of the 32-team event in pre-existing venues, FIBA said, also citing upgraded subway and public transport networks that were completed for last year's men's soccer World Cup.

Asked how it considered rights issues, FIBA said in a statement that with no construction needed in Qatar "time and cost savings from not building any new venues will be focused into delivering the strongest possible social legacy."

"With all of the teams playing in the same city, fans can plan everything far in advance and enjoy a unique experience since all venues are within 30 minutes of each other," the Switzerland-based governing body said. "Additionally, all venues to be used for FIBA's flagship men's event are already constructed, while widely used green technologies will help in delivering the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 as a carbon-neutral event."

FIBA said other candidates it did not identify entered the hosting process, but Qatar was "the first to present a bid fulfilling the standard conditions."

The Qatari government said in a statement its "celebrated portfolio of mega-sport event hosting gave FIBA the confidence to confirm the decision without hesitation."

The No. 89-ranked Qatar team will qualify automatically as host. Qatar last played in the event at the 2006 world championships, and lost all five of its games.

The women's World Cup in 2026 will be hosted by Germany, FIBA also decided Friday. The