Boluwatife Kehinde
Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, is gearing up for a rigorous journey toward the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup after being placed in a particularly tough qualifying group.
This announcement was made during the draw ceremony held on Tuesday at the prestigious Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland.
As four-time African champions, D’Tigress are set to contend for a coveted World Cup spot in Lyon-Villeurbanne, France—one of the four cities designated as hosts for the global qualifiers.
The matches are scheduled to take place from March 11 to 17, 2026, marking this segment as the final chance for competing teams to secure their positions for the much-anticipated Berlin 2026 World Cup.
The D’Tigress find themselves in a challenging group alongside the host nation France, as well as strong competitors Germany, South Korea, Colombia, and the Philippines.
This collection of formidable opponents ensures a fiercely competitive environment, where only the top-performing teams from each host venue will earn a place at the esteemed tournament.
Ultimately, 16 nations will vie for the title of world champion in women’s basketball.
With intense anticipation and excitement, the atmosphere at the ceremony underscored the significance of this event in the women’s basketball calendar.
In addition to Lyon-Villeurbanne, other cities hosting the qualifiers include Wuhan (China), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Istanbul (Turkey). Each of these locations is poised to stage thrilling matchups and serve as battlegrounds as teams compete not only for victories but also for international recognition on the global stage.
D’Tigress have long been the dominant force in African basketball and are now setting their sights on translating that continental success into a strong performance at the world level. Their goal is to secure another World Cup appearance, showcasing the remarkable growth and talent within Nigerian women’s basketball.
Full Draw Breakdown:
Wuhan, China Mali, South Sudan, Brazil, Belgium, Czechia, China
Lyon-Villeurbanne, France: Colombia, Philippines, Germany, South Korea, France, Nigeria
San Juan, Puerto Rico: New Zealand, Puerto Rico, USA, Senegal, Italy, Spain
Istanbul, Türkiye: Hungary, Türkiye, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Japan
The road to the World Cup is challenging, but D’Tigress are determined to prove their mettle and continue elevating the profile of Nigerian women’s basketball on the international stage.
