D’TIGRESS SET FOR TOUGH FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS IN FRANCE

By: Gyang Dakwo

African champions Nigeria D’Tigress have been placed in a tough group for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament. They will face France, Colombia, the Philippines, Germany, and Korea in Group D.

The draw was held on October 7 in Mies, Switzerland, and it confirmed the matchups for the final stage of qualification ahead of next year’s Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany.

Nigeria will play their qualifiers in Lyon-Villeurbanne, France, from March 11 to 17, 2026. The French city is one of four venues selected by FIBA to host the tournaments.

Although D’Tigress have already booked their place at the World Cup after winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, they will still take part in the qualifiers.

The tournament will also feature other continental champions such as the United States, Australia, and Belgium, as well as hosts Germany. Their participation is meant to ensure strong competition and to help them prepare better for the World Cup.

The qualifying series will hold across four cities, namely Wuhan in China, Lyon-Villeurbanne in France, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Istanbul in Türkiye. A total of 24 teams will compete, and each city will host six teams. Eleven qualification spots are still up for grabs, and the top three teams from each group will join the automatically qualified nations in Berlin.

Nigeria’s group in Lyon is expected to be very competitive. France and Germany are among the top teams in Europe, while Korea and the Philippines are known for their speed and teamwork. Colombia will bring their South American flair and fighting spirit.

For D’Tigress, the tournament is a chance to test themselves against world-class opponents and to strengthen their team chemistry before the main event.

Full Draw

Wuhan (China): Mali, South Sudan, Brazil, Belgium, Czech Republic, China

Lyon-Villeurbanne (France): Colombia, Philippines, Germany, Korea, France, Nigeria

San Juan (Puerto Rico): New Zealand, Puerto Rico, USA, Senegal, Italy, Spain

Istanbul (Türkiye): Hungary, Türkiye, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Japan