FIBA Confirms France as 2031 Men’s Basketball World Cup Host; Japan Secures 2030 Women’s Tournament

POLICY WIRE — Berlin, Germany — Global basketball’s governing body, FIBA, has officially awarded the hosting rights for the 2031 men’s World Cup to France, while Japan will stage the 2030 women’s tournament.

This decision means French phenom Victor Wembanyama could headline a home World Cup on his native soil, a significant moment for the burgeoning superstar. The allocations were confirmed by FIBA on Wednesday, setting the stage for two major international basketball events.

FIBA highlighted the host nations’ extensive experience in managing large-scale global competitions, noting that both France and Japan recently hosted the summer Olympic Games in 2024 and 2020, respectively. This proven organizational capability was a key factor in their selection.

Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs’ standout player, was a central figure at the Paris Olympics, where he led the French national team to a silver medal. His dominant performance included scoring 26 points in the final match against the United States.

France to Host 2031 Men’s Tournament

The 2031 men’s tournament in France is scheduled to run from August 29 to September 14. Key French cities designated to organize the preliminary phases include Lyon and Lille, with the climactic final phase anticipated to take place in the capital, Paris.

This marks a historic occasion for France, as it will be the first time the nation has hosted the men’s basketball World Cup. The French team, buoyed by stars like Victor Wembanyama, aims to build on recent successes, potentially adding another memorable chapter to basketball history, much like the biggest championship upsets in sports history have done in other arenas.

Japan Secures 2030 Women’s World Cup

For the women’s global championship, Tokyo, Japan’s vibrant capital, will serve as the host city. The tournament is slated for November 26 to December 8, 2030, promising another exciting display of international talent.

Japan’s women’s basketball team also achieved significant success on home soil, securing a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The country has a history of hosting major basketball events, having previously hosted the men’s world championship in 2006 and co-hosted the tournament in 2023.

“Japan and France are both elite organizers of global scale events, having hosted the two most recent summer Olympic Games, in 2020 and 2024 respectively,” FIBA stated, underscoring their confidence in the chosen hosts.

Looking ahead, the next edition of the women’s World Cup is scheduled for September in Berlin, while the 2027 men’s World Cup will be held in Qatar. These upcoming events continue the global expansion and reach of international basketball competitions.

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