FIBA secretary general addresses why organization hasn't added 'men's' label to flagship World Cup event

FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis addressed the organization’s decision not to formally label its flagship global tournament the "Men’s Basketball World Cup," connecting the naming debate to broader questions about eligibility in men’s and women’s competitions.

"The naming is of course a matter that the Central Board has discussed," Zagklis told reporters Sunday during a press conference ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

"The Central Board has for the moment maintained the current naming.

We do not see that the aspect of men’s and women’s is something that devalues or values the other World Cup in such a way." FIBA officially calls its women’s tournament the "FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup." Its other senior five-on-five tournament remains the "FIBA Basketball World Cup," without "men’s" in the title.

Zagklis added that the organization is also considering "broader concerns" over the separation of the men's and women's categories, and referenced studies over "who can compete" in each respective competition.

FIBA SECRETARY GENERAL ANDREAS ZAGKLIS SPEAKS OUT ON CAITLIN CLARK'S IMPACT ON GROWTH OF WORLD CUP "We also need to be cognizant of the broader concerns about men and women, and the concerns as well as the studies we are making for our competition and who can compete in the women’s World Cup and who can compete in the other World Cup, which is not necessarily just the men’s World Cup," he said.

Zagklis did not explicitly mention transgender athletes in his answer.

However, FIBA has publicly confirmed that it is reviewing transgender eligibility and has established an interim approach while that process continues.

Following the International Olympic Committee’s adoption of a policy protecting the female category, the FIBA Central Board confirmed in April that FIBA will follow the IOC standard for the Olympic and Youth Olympic Games.

The federation said it is waiting for further guidance on the practical, legal and operational aspects of implementation.

FIBA-run competitions, including its World Cups, remain subject to a separate review.

In December 2024, the Central Board extended its process for adopting a formal transgender eligibility policy by two years.

FIBA said it is collecting basketball-specific data and evidence related to transgender participation.

A Gender Eligibility Committee composed of medical and legal experts is scheduled to give the Central Board its recommendations at the beginning of 2027.