FIBA announces Australia as host of 2022 Women's Basketball World Cup

Players and coach of Australia stand together before the warm-up game against China at AIS in Canberra, Australia, September 17, 2019. /VCG

Australia will host the 2022 FIBA Basketball Women's Basketball World Cup, announced the global basketball governing body on Thursday.

"FIBA has awarded the hosting rights for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 to Basketball Australia. Basketball Australia and the Russian Basketball Federation were the two finalists bidding to host FIBA's women's flagship event two years from now. The decision was taken by FIBA's Central Board today, which took place via video conference, having both candidates submit their bids and then each give presentations to the Central Board," said FIBA in an official statement.

"We look forward to the biggest women's event in basketball taking place in Sydney, and also the 12-month qualification period that will take place to be among the 12 teams playing in Australia," said FIBA President Hamane Niang.

Diana Taurasi #12 of Team USA tries to break through the defense of Australia in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Final at Pabellon de Deportes de Tenerife Santiago Martin in San Cristobal de La Laguna, Spain, September 30, 2018. /VCG

Though the sports world is basically shut down by the new coronavirus, there's no reason to hold back from planning and preparing for future events.

This will be the second time for Australia to hold the Women's Basketball World Cup after 1994. 12 national teams are expected to play 38 games in September and October before the final champions are decided.

The Boomers have always been a strong team in international women's basketball competitions and they were runner-up at the 2018 World Cup after losing to Team USA in the final.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for the city of Sydney to both promote and take women's basketball to the next level. We witnessed many successes at the last World Cup, and I am sure that in 2022 we will see even more. We are looking forward to a fruitful cooperation over the next two years in planning for this pinnacle event," said FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis.