France to host Men’s Basketball World Cup in 2031 for the first time
The men’s competition will take place in Lille, Lyon, and Paris from August 29 to September 14.
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<source type="image/avif" srcset="https://www.franceinfo.fr/pictures/fz9hATn1yP90oD5-07FUmEylD6o/0x272:6000×3647/432×243/filters:format(avif):quality(50)/2026/04/22/69e8af3b9515b978445334.jpg 432w, …
/2026/04/22/69e8af3b9515b978445334.jpg "France will host the Basketball World Cup for the first time in 2031.")
France has been designated as the host country for the Men’s Basketball World Cup in 2031, a first in its history, announced the International Federation on Wednesday, April 22. The competition will take place in Lille, Lyon, and Paris from August 29 to September 14, with the final phase in the capital. The best result for France in the World Cup remains a third place, achieved in 2014 and 2019.
Japan has been chosen to host the Women’s World Cup in 2030, with Fiba emphasizing the significance of both countries as “leading organizers of major international events,” such as the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
“There has never been a Basketball World Cup in France. Many things are aligning (…) We are coming out of euphoric Olympic Games, basketball ticket sales represented 10% of Olympic ticket sales, with 1.1 million spectators, it’s phenomenal,” said Jean-Pierre Hunckler, president of the French Basketball Federation (FFBB), in October 2025, mentioning the confidence in a single candidacy.
/2026/04/22/69e84e6cbef78184301608.jpg "French NBA player Victor Wembanyama victim of a heavy fall against Portland")
