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.



Club World Cup Will Be Bigger than Champions League, Says Chelsea’s Colwill

Chelsea FC #6 Levi Colwill celebrates with teammates after winning the FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Getty Images / AFP)
Chelsea FC #6 Levi Colwill celebrates with teammates after winning the FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Getty Images / AFP)
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Club World Cup Will Be Bigger than Champions League, Says Chelsea’s Colwill

Chelsea FC #6 Levi Colwill celebrates with teammates after winning the FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Getty Images / AFP)
Chelsea FC #6 Levi Colwill celebrates with teammates after winning the FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Getty Images / AFP)

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill said the Club World Cup will be bigger than the Champions League after his side beat European champions Paris St Germain 3-0 in the final in New Jersey on Sunday.

The quadrennial competition will return in 2029, which will be the second edition under the expanded format with 32 teams.

"This is the biggest trophy I've ever won. I think the Club World Cup will be bigger than the Champions League and we were the first team to win it," the 22-year-old Colwill said.

"I've really enjoyed it, playing games every four or five days. Playing to sold-out stadiums, playing against different teams who you would never normally get a chance to play."

The England international said Chelsea would carry the momentum forward having beaten a phenomenal PSG side who had conceded only one goal in the tournament before the final.

"I said at the start of this tournament that our plan is to win it and people looked at me as if I was crazy. So I'm going to say the exact same thing now going into the Premier League and Champions League," Colwill said.

Chelsea have won the Champions League twice, in 2012 and 2021.