Qatar to host men's basketball World Cup in 2027

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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.

Qatar faced fierce criticism during a massive, 12-year construction project for the soccer World Cup because of the gas-rich nation's treatment of its migrant labor force. FIBA made no reference to labor or human rights issues in announcing its decision, which came on the eve of the 2023 tournament draw.

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."

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"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