FIBA has moved to tighten its player eligibility rules, officially approving a key amendment that raises the passport acquisition requirement from age 16 to 18.
The decision came during the Central Board meeting held on December 5 at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland.
The session followed the completion of the opening window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers, where 72 national teams saw action across the globe on the Road to Qatar.
In the meeting, the Central Board approved updates to the regulations on the national status of players in both 5-on-5 and 3×3, aiming to provide more objective criteria in determining and changing a player’s national status.
The most significant change: players will now be considered non-restricted if they secured a passport before turning 18 — an increase from the previous cutoff age of 16.
The adjustment is expected to streamline eligibility cases involving young athletes and align standards across all national team programs.
FIBA also tightened its rules on national team switching.
Athletes who have already suited up for a senior national team in main FIBA tournaments will no longer be allowed to represent another country, effectively closing the door on future nationality transfers at the senior level.
