France will host the 2031 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup, marking the first time the tournament will be held in the country. The announcement was made by FIBA on April 22, 2025, confirming France as the host nation for the 21st edition of the quadrennial international basketball championship.
The tournament is scheduled to seize place from August 29 to September 14, 2031, featuring 32 teams from four confederations competing across three host cities yet to be determined. This will be the first FIBA Basketball World Cup held in France and the first to be staged in Europe since the 2014 tournament in Spain.
France’s successful bid follows its recent experience hosting major international sporting events, including the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The French Basketball Federation (FFBB) had confirmed its intentions to bid for the tournament in late August 2025, citing the momentum from the Olympic Games as a key factor in their proposal.
The decision was part of a dual announcement by FIBA, which also selected Japan as the host for the 2030 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. This continues a pattern of alternating men’s and women’s World Cup hosts in recent cycles, with Australia set to host the 2026 Women’s World Cup and Germany having hosted the 2023 Men’s World Cup.
Several nations had expressed interest in hosting the 2031 Men’s World Cup during the bidding process. Australia had confirmed discussions with FIBA in early September 2023, with Melbourne proposed as a potential host city for key games. Italy had also engaged in talks with its government in December 2023 regarding a possible bid, leveraging its experience hosting EuroBasket 2022 and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
France’s hosting rights include having previously hosted one of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments in Lyon, demonstrating the country’s capability to organize high-level international basketball competitions. The FFBB’s bid emphasized France’s proven track record in delivering major sporting events, particularly following the successful organization of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 2031 FIBA Basketball World Cup will return to Europe after the 2023 edition was held in Asia (Philippines, Japan, Indonesia) and the 2027 tournament is scheduled to take place in Qatar. This geographic rotation aligns with FIBA’s efforts to distribute hosting responsibilities across different regions while growing the sport’s global footprint.
For basketball fans worldwide, the 2031 World Cup in France presents an opportunity to witness elite international competition in a nation with a rich basketball tradition and modern sporting infrastructure. The tournament will serve as a key qualifier for the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane, adding significant stakes to the competition beyond the World Cup title itself.
As the host nation, France’s men’s national team will automatically qualify for the 2031 World Cup, joining the other 31 teams that will earn their spots through regional qualifying competitions over the preceding two years. The exact format and venue distribution within France will be announced by FIBA and the local organizing committee in the lead-up to the tournament.
The confirmation of France as host provides clarity for national federations, players, and fans as they begin planning for the tournament seven years in advance. With the dates now set, broadcasters, sponsors, and host cities can commence their preparations for what will be one of the premier international sporting events of the 2030s.
Looking ahead, the next major milestone in the 2031 FIBA Basketball World Cup cycle will be the announcement of the specific host cities and venues within France, expected to occur in the coming months as FIBA finalizes its arrangements with the French Basketball Federation and local authorities.
For continued updates on the 2031 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup and other international basketball developments, fans are encouraged to follow official FIBA channels and trusted sports news sources. Share your thoughts on what France hosting the 2031 World Cup means for the sport in the comments below.
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