Qatar to Host 2027 World Cup in Men’s Basketball

This file photo taken on Dec. 20, 2019, shows a view of boats moored in front of high-rise buildings in the Qatari capital, Doha. (AFP)
This file photo taken on Dec. 20, 2019, shows a view of boats moored in front of high-rise buildings in the Qatari capital, Doha. (AFP)
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Qatar to Host 2027 World Cup in Men’s Basketball

This file photo taken on Dec. 20, 2019, shows a view of boats moored in front of high-rise buildings in the Qatari capital, Doha. (AFP)
This file photo taken on Dec. 20, 2019, shows a view of boats moored in front of high-rise buildings in the Qatari capital, Doha. (AFP)

Qatar is going to host another World Cup.

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on Friday picked Qatar to host the 2027 edition of its marquee men’s World Cup. It did not say whether there were any other bidders.

Doha will stage all games in the 32-team event, FIBA said, citing upgraded subway and public transport networks that were completed for the men’s football World Cup played last November and December.

“With all of the teams playing in the same city, fans can plan everything far in advance and enjoy a unique experience since all venues are within 30 minutes of each other,” the Switzerland-based governing body said.

“Additionally, all venues to be used for FIBA’s flagship men’s event are already constructed, while widely used green technologies will help in delivering the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 as a carbon-neutral event."

The No. 89-ranked Qatar team will qualify automatically as host. Qatar last played in the event at the 2006 world championship, and lost all five of its games.

Qatar is the third straight Asian host of the men’s tournament. China hosted in 2019 and the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia host this year's edition from Aug. 25-Sept. 12. Spain is the defending champion.

The women’s World Cup in 2026 will be hosted by Germany in Berlin, FIBA also decided Friday.



Lionel Messi, Inter Miami Drive Club World Cup Ratings

Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Inter Miami CF Training - Inter Miami CF Training Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US - June 26, 2025 Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi with Luis Suarez during training REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Inter Miami CF Training - Inter Miami CF Training Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US - June 26, 2025 Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi with Luis Suarez during training REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
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Lionel Messi, Inter Miami Drive Club World Cup Ratings

Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Inter Miami CF Training - Inter Miami CF Training Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US - June 26, 2025 Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi with Luis Suarez during training REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Inter Miami CF Training - Inter Miami CF Training Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US - June 26, 2025 Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi with Luis Suarez during training REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Lionel Messi, arguably the most recognizable player in the Club World Cup, is steering viewership to his underdog team.

Messi and his Inter Miami teammates are helping the expanded tournament draw US television ratings that are roughly comparable to those of the Premier League in the recently concluded season, Reuters reported.

Club World Cup broadcasts in English on TNT Sports (TNT, TBS and truTV) were averaging 360,000 through Wednesday, per Sports Media Watch. Sports Business Journal noted that the highly popular Premier League drew 394,000 per match on USA Network in the 2024-25 season.

Only a small number of Club World Cup are carried by TNT Sports, with all matches available on DAZN.

Three of the top seven English-language telecasts on TNT Sports featured Inter Miami, led by 676,000 tuning in to see the Major League Soccer side draw 2-2 with Brazil's Palmeiras on Monday. The Miami matches attracted even larger viewership on Spanish-language broadcasts.

Inter Miami drew 0-0 with Egypt's Al Ahly (371,000 viewers), then earned an upset 2-1 win over Portugal's Porto (349,000) before the tie with Palmeiras. Those results allowed Messi & Co. to finish second in Group A, setting up a Round of 16 matchup with Paris Saint-Germain that should be a rating bonanza.

The Sunday contest in Atlanta pits Messi against the team he represented immediately before coming to Miami. And PSG are the newly crowned winners of the UEFA Champions League, the most prestigious continental club tournament.

According to Sports Media Watch, the CONCACAF Gold Cup matchup on Sunday between the US men's national team and Haiti attracted an audience of 1.2 million viewers on Fox. The US won 2-1 to finish atop its group and set up a Sunday quarterfinal contest against Costa Rica in Minneapolis.