Despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the organization of the 2027 World Cup in Qatar is reportedly secure. Jorge Garbajosa, President of FIBA Europe, stated that there are “no problems” for the tournament to proceed as planned next year.
Garbajosa emphasized that FIBA has “first-hand information” from their Qatari president, indicating “total stability” in the region and no concerns regarding the World Cup’s execution.
He also confirmed that no alternative plans are in place. Garbajosa expressed excitement about Europe hosting the Women’s World Championship in Berlin in the coming months and the Men’s World Championship in 2031, highlighting the significant efforts of the French federation.
He noted that the World Championships held in Asia have contributed to development and provided valuable insights into audience experience, which will benefit France. The return of the World Championship to Europe is seen as a significant positive development.
Regarding emerging parallel competitions in women’s basketball, such as Project B, Garbajosa acknowledged that the sport is in a phase of identity building. He pointed to a record-breaking EuroLeague in terms of attendance, featuring prominent players like Emma Meesseman, Gaby Williams, Raquel Carrera, and Maite Cazorla. The Final Six in Zaragoza was reportedly sold out each day.
Garbajosa shared an anecdote about a packed Fan Zone during a visit from the FIBA president and Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, illustrating the immense popularity. He believes the WNBA can also serve as a promotional tool, similar to how NBA stars like Hugo, Aldama for Spain, and Wembanyama for men’s basketball are impactful.
He concluded by stating that basketball is at a “turning point” and needs to remain strong. While new competitions are welcome, they must recognize that the “best clubs, best players, and best institutions are within our ecosystem.”
English Translation:
The 2027 World Cup is scheduled to be held in Qatar. Is its organization guaranteed despite the war in the Middle East?
“Yes. Furthermore, our president is Qatari, so we have first-hand information, and we have the impression that there is total stability and that there are no problems for the World Cup to take place next year.”
No alternative solution is planned…
“No; and I want to take this opportunity to say that we in Europe are delighted to host the Women’s World Championship in Berlin in the coming months, and the Men’s World Championship in 2031. And this is thanks to the considerable efforts of the French federation. The World Championships in Asia have allowed us to develop; we have learned a lot, particularly regarding audience experience, from which France will certainly benefit. But the return of the World Championship to Europe is a true joy.”
The Spanish daily newspaper points out that parallel competitions are emerging in women’s basketball, such as Project B.
“We are in the process of building our identity. We have had a record EuroLeague in terms of attendance. With icons such as Emma Meesseman, Gaby Williams, Raquel Carrera, Maite Cazorla… The Final Six was sold out every day in Zaragoza. I will tell you an anecdote: when our president and Andreas Zagklis visited, I wanted to take them to the Fan Zone. There was a huge crowd, impossible to move! It’s a formidable competition, and the WNBA can also serve as a promotional tool for us. This is the case for men, as we see with Hugo and Aldama for Spain; or Wembanyama for men. In short, we are at a turning point and we must be strong. New competitions are a good thing, but they must know that the best clubs, the best players, and the best institutions are in our ecosystem.”
