FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis has addressed the organization’s decision to omit the term 'men's' from its flagship global tournament, the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Zagklis stated that this naming convention is linked to broader considerations regarding eligibility in both men's and women's competitions.
"The naming is of course a matter that the Central Board has discussed," Zagklis told reporters. "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 designates its women's tournament as the "FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup." The men's event, however, remains simply the "FIBA Basketball World Cup."
Zagklis explained that FIBA is examining "broader concerns" about the separation of men's and women's categories, including ongoing studies about eligibility criteria.
"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.
While Zagklis did not directly mention transgender athletes, FIBA has confirmed it is reviewing transgender eligibility and has an interim approach in place.
Following the International Olympic Committee's adoption of a policy that protects the female category, the FIBA Central Board confirmed in April that it would align with the IOC standard for the Olympic and Youth Olympic Games. However, FIBA-run competitions, including its World Cups, are 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 is collecting basketball-specific data and evidence related to transgender participation. A Gender Eligibility Committee, composed of medical and legal experts, is expected to provide recommendations to the Central Board in early 2027.
Until a permanent policy is established, FIBA will not entertain transgender eligibility requests. This means transgender applicants cannot receive eligibility approval for FIBA competitions while the review is ongoing.
Zagklis' comments come amid ongoing discussions and controversies in the WNBA, which operates under different rules. The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement stipulates that only women may play in the league, but it lacks specific definitions or eligibility standards for transgender or intersex players.
This issue gained prominence following comments by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who supported excluding transgender women and girls from female sports. Her remarks sparked demonstrations both for and against transgender participation outside WNBA games.
Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White subsequently declared themselves eligible for a future WNBA draft, actions widely interpreted as challenges to the league's eligibility rules.
A WNBA task force discussed the subject in August but did not adopt new standards. The league stated that no immediate eligibility matter affected the WNBA and condemned "bad-faith" efforts to demean or marginalize others.
Proponents of sex-based eligibility rules argue they protect fairness and opportunities in women's sports, while advocates for transgender inclusion contend that blanket restrictions can discriminate.
Unlike the WNBA, FIBA has initiated a formal review, formed an expert committee, and set a timeline for recommendations. However, the organization has not disclosed the evidence gathered or indicated its potential policy direction.
Zagklis’ remarks underscore that FIBA’s naming convention for its World Cup is intertwined with its ongoing deliberation on defining eligibility for both its men's and women's competitions.