The 16-team field for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 is now set following the successful conclusion of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournaments in Istanbul, Türkiye; Lyon-Villeurbanne, France; San Juan, Puerto Rico and Wuhan, China.
Heading into the qualifying tournaments, Australia, Belgium, Nigeria and USA were already assured of a place in Berlin as 2025 Continental Cups champions, along with FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 host nation, Germany.
The 11 remaining tickets were taken by France, who were the first to qualify on the court, then Spain, China, Korea, Italy, Mali, Czechia, Türkiye, Japan, Hungary and Puerto Rico.
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The race to make it to Berlin went down to the very last game of the qualifying tournaments in San Juan, when hosts Puerto Rico celebrated taking the final available ticket with a memorable victory.
Meanwhile, Italy ended their long wait for a return by booking a place at the showpiece event for the first time in 32 years, with Hungary also ending a 28-year absence.
The full list of FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 teams is as follows: Australia, Belgium, China, Czechia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea and Mali. Others are Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Spain, Türkiye and the USA.
Taofeek Lawal
