Hungary were awarded the hosting rights of the tournament back in December, after the original hosts Israel were forced to withdraw due to unrest in the region, while Tunisia opted out a month after they were named replacement hosts last November.

The host city for the Championships had not been announced when Hungary were awarded the right to stage the event, but it has now been confirmed that competition will be held in the heart of Debrecen on Kossuth Square, in front of the iconic Reformed Great Church.

The decision underlines the 3x3 philosophy to allow the public to watch basketball in high-traffic and inspiring locations without having to pay an entrance fee, FIBA claim.

"This event is of outstanding promotional value for our city and I'm convinced that it will popularise this discipline among the youth," said Debrecen Mayor Laszlo Papp.

Former Hungarian basketball star Timea Beres has been named as an ambassador for the event, due to be held from June 4 to 7, and which will feature 24 male and female teams from 36 countries.

Timea Beres (right) has been named as an ambassador for the World Championships
©Getty Images



The World Championships will see the United States women attempt to defend the title they won in 2013, while Argentina's men will also be hoping to replicate their triumph two years ago.

It will be the fourth time the World Championships has been held at under-18 level, with the tournament enjoying success in Italian city Rimini in 2011, Alcobendas, Spain, in 2012 and in Indonesian capital Jakarta in 2013.

The World Championships are held on an annual basis, apart from in the year of the Summer Youth Olympic Games, which were held last year in Nanjing, and saw the US claim the women's gold medal and Lithuania the men's.

Debrecen is also one of the venues of the 2015 EuroBasket Women, but the city has been yet to host an event of this size.

"It's the first time that Hungary has been awarded the right to organise a World Championships in basketball, said Hungarian Basketball Federation President Ferenc Szalay.

"It is fantastic."

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