Alkass English
The journey to the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 officially begins today as nations across the globe await the draw that will determine their qualifying paths. The ceremony, taking place at Al Hazm Mall in Doha, will mark a pivotal step for 80 national teams from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe as they gear up for the long road to the historic tournament.
Set to begin at 6:30 pm, the draw will be conducted by FIBA Global Ambassador and three-time Olympic gold medalist Carmelo Anthony. He will be joined by FIBA President Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani, Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, and dignitaries from participating nations. Adding local star power to the evening, four-time Olympic high jump medallist Mutaz Essa Barshim and Gulf basketball icon Yassin Mousa will also be in attendance. The event will be streamed live through the official FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 platforms and the FIBA YouTube channel, connecting fans from all over the world.
The qualifying campaign—aptly named the "Road to Qatar"—features a rigorous schedule of 420 games played across six windows from November 2025 to March 2027. Teams will battle not only for regional supremacy but also for a coveted place among the 31 nations that will join hosts Qatar at what promises to be a groundbreaking edition of the World Cup. This marks the first time the FIBA World Cup will be held in the Middle East and entirely within a single city.
Today’s draw will map out the competition journey for each zone, with 16 countries each from Africa, Asia, and the Americas entering the fray, while the European zone will feature 32 seeded teams. The seeding process is based on the latest FIBA men’s world rankings and adjusted by geographical considerations to ensure balanced and competitive groups.
Awarded the hosting rights by unanimous decision during FIBA’s Central Board meeting in the Philippines two years ago, Qatar’s selection reinforces its growing stature as a hub for global sporting events. Following the compact and efficient format of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the 2027 FIBA edition will make use of Doha’s advanced infrastructure and state-of-the-art venues to stage what is expected to be the largest FIBA World Cup in history.
With sustainability and fan engagement at the forefront, organisers aim to deliver a carbon-neutral event that continues Qatar’s tradition of excellence in international sport. As the draw unfolds, the path to glory becomes clearer for hopeful nations, setting the stage for a global celebration of basketball in 2027.