FIBA Denies Israel's Request to Host Basketball Games Amid Security Concerns
FIBA Europe has officially informed the Israeli Basketball Association that it will not permit international basketball games to be held in Israel. The decision, announced by FIBA Europe President Jorge Garbajosa and CEO Kamil Novak, comes after a review by the organization's management board, which based its decision on a stringent security assessment.
This ruling means that the Israeli national team will continue to play its home games abroad. Their remaining World Cup qualifying matches against Latvia on November 30 and the Netherlands on February 28, 2027, will be held in neutral venues overseas. The decision also impacts Israeli clubs participating in FIBA's Champions League, with Hapoel Holon and Bnei Herzliya being forced to find alternative venues in Europe for their home games.
The move deepens Israel's isolation in international sports. This development follows previous reports by C14 News indicating that senior figures in Israeli basketball anticipated that EuroLeague and EuroCup games would also not return to Israel in the near future. Israeli clubs have reportedly been hosting their games in Belgrade and Sofia due to the ongoing refusal by the EuroLeague to approve games within Israel.
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