REYKJAVIK (Iceland) - The 2026 FIBA Europe General Assembly convened in Iceland’s capital Reykjavik on Saturday, May 16.
The event was hosted by the Icelandic Basketball Association and was attended by representatives of 47 out of the 50 European National Federation members.
FIBA Europe President Jorge Garbajosa chaired the session, with FIBA President Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, FIBA Executive Director Europe Kamil Novak and members of the FIBA Europe Board in attendance.
Willum Thor Thorsson, President of the National Olympic Association of Iceland, also attended and greeted the delegates on behalf of the Icelandic sport community which is “the backbone of Icelandic society,” he said.
Mr. Garbajosa reflected during his speech on a year of outstanding achievements, highlighting the tremendous success of the men’s and women’s EuroBaskets, as well as all FIBA Europe competitions at national team or club level.
The FIBA Europe President also referred to the current challenges in the shifting landscape of European club competitions, and the decision to expand the FIBA Europe Cup.
Mr. Garbajosa also addressed the impact of the continuing migration of European young players to the NCAA, as well as geopolitical challenges, with the General Assembly confirming the status quo of teams from Russia and Belarus, as well as teams from Israel.
FIBA President Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani praised the high standard of the work done by FIBA Europe in terms of organizing competitions and basketball development, mentioning that “Europe is at the heart of basketball growing as a sport.”
Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani also made a special mention to the Berlin hosting the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in September, and to the return of the FIBA Basketball World Cup to the old continent in 2031, as it will be hosted by France.
Mr. Novak presented a comprehensive report covering all FIBA Europe competitions, development programs and activities since spring 2025.
The FIBA Executive Director Europe highlighted the tremendous growth of the FIBA EuroBasket and FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 tournaments, as well as of EuroLeague Women.
He also presented a sneak preview of the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 and FIBA EuroBasket 2029, as the hosts of both events have already been confirmed.
In his intervention, FIBA Secretary General Mr. Zagklis focused on FIBA’s strategic priority ‘Women in Basketball’ and the necessity to protect national team competitions, including reshaping the calendar with the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2030 and the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2031 moving to early winter.
Mr. Zagklis also explained that the ongoing project in Europe in partnership with the NBA aims at developing the game on the continent and supporting the growth of the club ecosystem.
He highlighted the importance of the 2028 Olympic 3x3 tournament expanding to 12 teams for each gender, from eight previously, and the chances that the increased number of Qualifiers creates for each Federation to make the trip to Los Angeles.
The delegates were presented with reports by the FIBA Europe Treasurer, and also the chairs of the Competitions, Technical, Women & Equality, Youth, Business Development, Small Countries Commissions and the Management Committee for Special Projects.
FIBA Europe Properties GmbH CEO Mrs. Monika Puchner presented an economic report of FIBA Europe Properties, while Walter Pfaller, President of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation Europe, offered an overview of wheelchair basketball events.
Mr. Garbajosa offered an update on the European club competitions landscape, including the approval of the FIBA Europe Cup expansion and the discussion with Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA) regarding the NBA project in Europe.
The General Assembly finally received an update on the situation in Great Britain, where FIBA aims to help rebuild a transparent and effective basketball governance, following the recent dissolution of the Great Britain Basketball Federation.
The next FIBA Europe General Assembly will be hosted in Munich, Germany, in May 2027.
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