The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has decided to postpone all games in Groups C and D of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers’ second window supposedly scheduled for Monday, March 2.
In a statement issued on Sunday morning Manila time, the developments in the Middle East led to the decision to push back a total of eight matches.
Security concerns have grown over the region after the United States and Iran launched a major attack on Iran, causing various airspaces to close.
With this, the matches between Iran and Syria, Iraq and Jordan, Lebanon and India, and Qatar and Saudi Arabia have all been impacted.
The games will be played during the third window, scheduled from June 29 to July 27, and in the same locations they’re originally set at, according to FIBA.
“The aforementioned Group C and Group D games will take place at the same locations at the beginning of the third Qualification Window, set for late June,” FIBA said. “The updated schedule will be communicated at a later stage.”
Basketball’s governing body assured that it is in close communication with all the national federations involved to ensure the safety and welfare of all those.
“FIBA remains in close contact with the National Federations concerned and is taking necessary measures with respect to the safety and security of teams, officials, and staff involved in those games,” FIBA said.
