
The State of Qatar won the honor of hosting the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup at the April 28, 2023 meeting of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) held in the Philippine capital, Manila.
The FIBA Central Council announced its decision after evaluating bids submitted by candidate countries, with Qatar emerging as the leading choice to host the 2027 edition of the tournament, which will be held for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Among the reasons that favored Qatar's bid are its exceptional sports facilities, its strong commitment to the development of sports in general and basketball in particular, as well as its extensive experience in organizing major sporting events.
Qatar's bid places particular emphasis on legacy plans to highlight the tournament's contribution to the development of basketball in the region and globally. With the sports facilities ready to host the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, this edition of the tournament is expected to be the most sustainable in its history.
On this occasion, the Organizing Committee for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 announced last week the selection and launch of the official mascot "Suhail" for the tournament, which will be held in Doha from August 27 to September 12, 2027, with the participation of 32 national teams from around the world.
"Suhail" takes its name and identity from one of the most prominent stars in Gulf history known as Polaris, which for centuries served as a guiding light for sailors, Bedouins and pearl divers during their journeys and voyages in the region. The choice of mascot is linked to the appearance of this crystalline star coinciding with the period of the tournament. The star is a symbol associated with the change of seasons in the Gulf Region, as its appearance signifies the gradual decline of the summer heat and the onset of milder weather, especially in the evenings.
The mascot launch is part of preparations for hosting the global FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 event.
