China to host 2019 basketball World Cup (original) (raw)

China outbids Philippines for right to host 2019 event, which has been delayed a year to not coincide with FIFA title.

China has won the right to host the 2019 basketball World Cup.

China outbid the Philippines in a vote at a FIBA meeting in Tokyo on Friday.

The 2019 tournament will feature 32 teams for the first time.

It will be the first World Cup played under FIBA’s new qualifying process which begins in November 2017 and lasts 18 months.

The United States is the defending champion and has won the title five times.

Retired NBA basketballer Yao Ming, who is one of the best known athletes in China, went to Tokyo to promote China’s bid.

Boxer Manny Pacquiao was on hand to support the Philippines.

Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Foshan, Wuhan, and Donguan will all host matches.

Spain hosted the most recent title, in 2014. The next basketball World Cup is being held in 2019 to reset the four-year cycle on a different year to the FIFA World Cup.