There will be no delays in the Philippines’ efforts to co-host the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023.
The international basketball federation (FIBA) has confirmed the dates for the cagefest last Saturday as it made its decision known Monday evening.
The FIBA has slated the event to take place from August 25 to September 10, 2023.
The dates of the competition were approved over the weekend by the FIBA's Central Board.
The Central Board came up with the decision following consultation with the host nations and a recommendation by FIBA's Competitions Commission.
The Group Phase is set to take place in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.
The final phase will be held in the Philippines.
This will be the first time in the competition's history that it will be held in more than one country, according to the FIBA in a statement.
The World Cup 2023 will involve 32 national teams from around the world.
The expanded format was adopted from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China.
Back then, it was held across eight cities in China.
Last year, Spain was crowned world champion after defeating Argentina, 95-75, at the Wukesong Sport Arena in Beijing.
In determining the participants, the FIBA Competition System will be followed.
This will include six windows over a 15-month period across the four regions of Africa, Americas, Asia/Oceania and Europe.
The qualifiers have already started back in February 2020 with the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Pre-Qualifiers, where eight teams made the cut.
Later in 2020, the FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Pre-Qualifiers will qualify four teams from the Americas Qualifiers.
On the other hand, other qualification matches will take place from November 2021 to February 2023, with 80 national teams competing for a spot in the World Cup.
The first window of qualification will be played from November 22 to 30, 2021.