When the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia host the FIBA World Cup - a history lesson

MANILA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023) - Never has it happened that three countries will jointly host a FIBA Basketball World Cup, but that's exactly what is in store for everyone in 2023.

In an unprecedented decision, the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia were awarded hosting rights for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, which happens four years after China are hosts in 2019. That is significant because the World Cup has never been hosted in Asia for two straight editions, and it is the first time the competition will be hosted in more than one country. The last time it was held in this continent was in 2006 in Japan and prior to that was in 1978 in the Philippines. Fittingly enough, both countries get to host the quadrennial event again six years from now.

Eleven years ago, opening round games in Japan were held in Sendai, Hamamatsu, Sapporo and Hiroshima, which were followed by the knockout stages in Saitama. More than the fact that it was the first Asian hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in nearly 30 years, hoop nuts around the globe also remember Japan 2006 as a major turning point in the international game. For the early part of the new millennium, perennial powerhouse Team USA had been struggling to be consistent, and everything came to a head in Japan, with the Americans famously losing to the Greeks in the Semi-Final, 101-95. That was significant because Team USA featured a tremendous load of talent - LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony were on that squad - and yet they failed to ascend to the summit for the third straight time after they also fell short in 1998 and 2002.

USA Basketball eventually used that debacle in Japan as a wake up call for their program in succeeding years, and now they've won every single world level competition since then (e.g. Beijing Olympics 2008, Turkey World Cup 2010, London Olympics 2012, Spain World Cup 2014 and Rio Olympics 2016). It's not entirely far-fetched to think that the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 may serve as another turning point for international hoops or some teams, especially with a lot of young talents (e.g. Ben Simmons, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic) poised to challenge American supremacy anew.

Over in Manila, the last time basketball-mad Philippines hosted the World Cup was in 1978, which was held in two separate venues: the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila and the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. When the Philippines host the World Cup in 2023, the Araneta Coliseum (now known as the Smart Araneta Coliseum) will once again be a primary venue along with the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City and the sprawling Philippine Arena in Bocaue City. The combined seating capacity of all four venues is a staggering 106,000, which is a mind-boggling number when compared to the 71,500 seating capacity of all six venues used in Spain 2014. That's just one concrete manifestation of how big basketball is in the Philippines and how big the World Cup will be in six years.

Much like in Japan 2006, the last time the World Cup was held in Manila, Team USA were unable to bring home the bacon. The Americans tumbled to fifth place on the back of a 6-win, 4-loss record. They narrowly beat Canada, 96-94, in the fifth place fixture while Brazil, Italy, the former Soviet Union and eventual champions Yugoslavia all finished in the top four. Can history repeat itself and hand us another surprising twist in 2023 when the knockout stages commence in Manila?

Moving over to Indonesia, this hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup is truly groundbreaking. Indonesia have been solid in 3x3 basketball, sure, but they have not really made much of a splash elsewhere the basketball domain. This, however, will probably fuel an already electric atmosphere, which may in turn lead to that will probably pack the Istora Gelora Bung Karno.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will be a major spark in boosting the growth of the sport in Indonesia, especially once all the big names of international basketball converge in Jakarta. The intensity of the games, the allure of their basketball idols and the sheer scale of the World Cup should seize the imagination of Indonesians in six years, and that is exactly the kind of exposure international basketball needs to fuel its continued growth.

There is absolutely no doubt that history will be made with the first ever multiple country hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. It will serve as a model for other countries that are interested to host future editions of the World Cup, it will do wonders for the development of the game not just in Asia but in the world and for the first time ever, a global audience will witness first-hand just how much Filipinos love the game.

History. That should be the by-word for Philippines, Japan and Indonesia for the next 6 years as they collaborate to put forth a momentous and memorable FIBA Basketball World Cup.

FIBA