The FIBA World Championship ( also called the Basketball World Championship ) is a world basketball tournament for national teams held once every four years by the International Basketball Federation ( FIBA ) . The FIBA World Championship is an international basketball competition contested by the men 's national teams of the members of the International Basketball Federation ( FIBA ) , the sport 's global governing body . The championship has been held every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1950 , except for two occasions .