By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
FIBA has revealed the candidates to host the next two editions of its flagship competition, the FIBA World Cup, and those include Germany – alone or possibly as part of a joint candidacy with France – and Turkey from Europe.
Also China, Philippines and Qatar are the six countries which are interested in hosting the 2019 and 2023 editions of the event. The announcement of the host country – or countries – for the 2019 FIBA World Cup is expected to take place at the next meeting of FIBA’s Central Board on 18-19 June 2015. On the same dates it may also decide which of the remaining countries may get to stage the 2023 edition, or to extend the bidding process. The 2019 edition of the FIBA Basketball World Cup will be the first one to feature 32 teams. In order to qualify, countries will compete in the first cycle of the new worldwide competition system and calendar – which comes into effect in 2017 – by playing home and away games.