The event will be held from November 27 to December 3 at Modern Squash and Vallier Hall, where the final stages will be presented on an all-glass show-court.

It will see 2013 champions England defend the title after the 2015 Championship, due to be staged in Cairo in Egypt, was cancelled on safety grounds.

The decision to abandon the event, already moved from Kuwait, followed a pre-dawn attack on the El-Sayad nightclub and restaurant in Cairo's city centre in December 2015.

Egyptian Squash Federation President Assem Khalifa said the decision was linked to the withdrawal of several countries from the tournament, including England.

They were joined by Canada, Finland, France, Germany and the United States in pulling out. 

Hosts France, runners-up in 2003 and 2009, are expected to be led by world number three Gregory Gaultier, the 2015 world champion who is in line to make a ninth successive appearance at the event.

WSF President Jacques Fontaine is himself a Frenchman. 

"My country has been at the forefront of welcoming the world of squash to World Championships in our French cities, and I am very pleased that we shall next do so in Marseille," said Fontaine.

"Two of the French Squash Federation's all-glass show-courts will be used to not only provide great viewing opportunities but the stage for international broadcast too.

"I am certain that this event will be as good a showcase for squash as the previous World Championships in Nimes, Mulhouse and Paris."