France has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2031 FIBA Basketball World Cup, marking the first time the nation will stage the men’s global basketball championship. The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) made the announcement on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, confirming that matches will be played across three French cities: Paris, Lyon, and Lille.
The decision comes after France’s successful organization of the basketball tournaments during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, which showcased the country’s capability to host major international sporting events. French Basketball Federation (FFBB) president Jean-Pierre Hunckler had previously acknowledged the economic challenges of such a bid, noting the require for strong public and private partnerships to guarantee feasibility.
According to the official announcement from FIBA, the tournament will run from August 29 to September 14, 2031. The final phase of the competition will be held entirely in Paris, while preliminary games will take place in Lyon and Lille. No specific venues have been finalized yet, though the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille — which hosted basketball matches during both the 2024 Olympics and EuroBasket 2015 — is considered a likely candidate for the northern city’s games.
This will be the 20th edition of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, a competition that began in 1950 and has since grown into one of the premier events in international sports. The tournament features 32 national teams competing over a two-week period, with the most recent edition in 2023 seeing Germany claim its first title. The United States and Yugoslavia remain tied for the most championships in history, each with five victories.
France’s successful bid follows a trend of rotating hosting duties among different continents, with the 2027 edition scheduled to take place in Qatar. The 2031 tournament will return to Europe after being hosted by Asian nations in consecutive cycles, continuing FIBA’s effort to globalize the sport while maintaining strong participation from traditional basketball powers.
The announcement has generated particular excitement among French basketball fans due to the potential involvement of Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs star who gained global prominence during the 2024 Olympics. At just 21 years old during the 2024 Games, Wembanyama could be in his prime by 2031, offering home crowds a chance to see one of the sport’s rising stars compete on familiar soil.
Hosting the World Cup presents both opportunities and challenges for French organizers. Beyond the prestige of showcasing the sport on a global stage, the event is expected to generate significant economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and infrastructure investment. However, as noted by FFBB leadership during the bidding process, meeting FIBA’s stringent requirements for arena standards, accommodation, transportation, and security will require coordinated effort between government agencies, private sponsors, and local authorities.
Looking ahead, the next confirmed milestone in the preparation process will be the official venue selection, which FIBA typically finalizes two to three years before the tournament. Until then, French organizers will focus on developing detailed operational plans and securing the necessary guarantees to ensure a successful delivery of what promises to be a landmark moment in the nation’s sporting history.
For continued updates on the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2031 and other international basketball developments, readers are encouraged to follow official channels from FIBA and the French Basketball Federation. Share your thoughts on what this hosting opportunity means for French sports in the comments below.
