GENEVA — Qatar is going to host another World Cup.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has picked Qatar to host the 2027 edition of its marquee men’s World Cup. It did not say whether there were any other bidders.
Doha will stage all games in the 32-team event, FIBA said, citing upgraded subway and public transport networks that were completed for the men’s soccer World Cup played in November and December.
Qatar faced fierce criticism during a massive, 12-year construction project preparing for the soccer World Cup over the gas-rich nation’s treatment of a migrant labor force that was essential for the building work.
FIBA made no reference to labor or human rights issues in announcing its decision 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.”
“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 championship, losing all five of its games.
The women’s World Cup in 2026 will be hosted by Germany, FIBA said Friday. The 16-team tournament will be played in Berlin.
Qatar is the third straight Asian host of the men’s tournament. China hosted in 2019, and the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia host this year’s edition from Aug. 25 to Sept. 12. Spain is the defending champion.
The basketball World Cup will be one of Qatar’s major events before hosting the 2030 Asian Games, which will use some stadiums built for the soccer tournament.
A long-term goal for Qatar is to host the Olympics, although the next available Summer Games is the 2036 edition as hosts have already been picked for 2028 and 2032.
A Doha candidacy was being prepared for the 2032 Olympics when the International Olympic Committee pushed ahead quickly to pick Brisbane.
The 100-strong group of IOC members includes the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who joined the Olympic body in 2002 as one of its youngest-ever members at age 22.
Doha tried to enter the hosting contests for the Olympics of 2016 and 2020, but the IOC denied it candidate status. The main barrier was the IOC insisting on the Games being held in July and August, when temperatures in Doha routinely top 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Source: www.espn.com