The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) is the global governing body for the sport of basketball. Founded in 1932, FIBA is a non-profit organisation that oversees basketball activities worldwide, managing both men’s and women’s competitions. It sets the official basketball rules, governs international player transfers, and organises major global tournaments such as the FIBA Basketball World Cup and the Olympic Basketball Tournament.
FIBA’s membership includes 212 national basketball federations, organised into five continental zones: Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. These zones are responsible for coordinating regional basketball activities and competitions. National federations are required to follow FIBA’s rules and guidelines, including player regulations and eligibility criteria for international events.
FIBA is responsible for running various international competitions, including the FIBA World Cup (for men’s national teams) and the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. These tournaments are held every four years and involve teams from around the world competing for top honours. The men’s FIBA World Cup awards the Naismith Trophy, named after basketball’s inventor, James Naismith. FIBA also organises youth events like the U-19 and U-17 World Cups and promotes the rapidly growing 3x3 basketball format, which made its Olympic debut in 2020.
The organisation has seen several structural changes since its founding. Originally named Fédération Internationale de Basket-ball Amateur, the word "amateur" was dropped in 1989 to allow professional players, including NBA athletes, to participate in international competitions. FIBA’s headquarters is located in Mies, Switzerland, at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball, which also hosts the FIBA Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honours individuals who have made significant contributions to basketball.
FIBA’s top decision-making body is the FIBA Congress, which meets every two years. The FIBA Central Board, led by the President and Secretary General, handles daily administrative duties and is responsible for major decisions such as selecting the host countries for FIBA tournaments.
FIBA is also affiliated with major sports organisations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). It works to promote inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability in the sport. Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani currently serves as FIBA’s President, and Andreas Zagklis is the Secretary-General.
FIBA oversees a wide range of basketball disciplines, covering traditional basketball, 3x3 basketball, wheelchair basketball, and various youth categories. Each discipline is governed by FIBA's rules and regulations and is played at international and regional levels.
Traditional Basketball
In traditional basketball, FIBA organises several major international tournaments. The FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup, formerly known as Amateur Basketball, has been held since 1950. The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, previously called the Women’s World Championship, has taken place since 1953.
FIBA also organises the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, which started in 1979 for men and in 1985 for women, and the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, which has been held since 2010 for both men and women. Additionally, the FIBA U16 Basketball World Cup exists for younger athletes in both men's and women's categories.
FIBA also runs Continental Championships across the globe, such as the FIBA Africa Championship, FIBA Americas Championship, FIBA Asia Championship, FIBA Europe Championship, and FIBA Oceania Championship, all for both men and women.
3x3 Basketball
3x3 basketball is a faster version of traditional basketball, played on a half-court with three players per team. This discipline has gained international recognition and became an Olympic sport in 2020. FIBA has organised the FIBA 3x3 World Cup since 2012 for both men and women. Additionally, the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup has been held for both men and women since 2011. The FIBA 3x3 World Tour and the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series are also key events in this discipline.
Wheelchair Basketball
FIBA governs wheelchair basketball, with the World Championships being held since 1973. This discipline is designed for athletes with physical disabilities and follows specific adaptations of traditional basketball rules.
Club Competitions
FIBA organises multiple club competitions globally, including the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, Basketball Champions League, FIBA Europe Cup, and the Women’s Basketball Champions League. Regional competitions like the FIBA Africa Basketball League, FIBA Americas League, FIBA Asia Champions Cup, and FIBA Oceania Women’s Club Championship ensure the sport is played at a high level across all continents.
Youth Competitions
FIBA’s commitment to youth development includes the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup and the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup for both men and women, promoting young talent globally. The FIBA 3x3 Challengers and FIBA 3x3 U16 Basketball World Cup provide platforms for younger athletes in the 3x3 format.
FIBA's membership consists of national basketball federations from around the world. These federations represent their countries and are responsible for developing and promoting basketball in their respective regions. FIBA's membership is organised into five continental zones: Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Below is an outline of the key aspects of FIBA membership:
National Federations
Continental Zones
FIBA's global structure is divided into five continental zones:
These zones oversee basketball activities within their regions and organise regional competitions like the FIBA Africa Championship and FIBA Europe Championship.
Membership Benefits
Membership Requirements
To become a member of FIBA, national federations must meet certain criteria:
FIBA Congress
The FIBA Congress is the organisation's main decision-making body, held every two years. It is attended by all member federations, and key decisions on governance, rules, and leadership are made during these sessions. Each member federation has voting rights in the Congress.
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