D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, will take on European powerhouses France and Germany in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament following Wednesday’s official draw.
D’Tigress, who are the reigning African champions, will face Colombia, the Philippines, Germany, South Korea and France in what promises to be a highly competitive qualifying series. The tournament will take place in Villeurbanne, Lyon, France, with teams battling for coveted spots at the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup.
The draw presents a significant challenge for the Nigerian side, particularly with the inclusion of European heavyweights Germany and France. Both nations boast strong domestic leagues and consistent performances on the international stage. France, in particular, will enjoy home support, a factor that could prove decisive in tightly contested fixtures.
Also Read: D’Tigress are five times Africa basketball champions
Colombia and the Philippines have also made steady progress in recent years, while South Korea remains one of Asia’s most experienced women’s basketball teams. The format of the qualifying tournament is expected to be intense, with little margin for error as teams compete over a short window for advancement.
D’Tigress will head into the competition with confidence, having solidified their dominance on the African continent in recent years. Their blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talents has helped them maintain their status as Africa’s top-ranked women’s side. The team’s athleticism, defensive discipline, and improved perimeter shooting were key features of their recent successes.
The Nigerian side will also be eager to build on their impressive outing at the 2024 Olympic Games, where they earned global respect for their resilience and tactical organisation against some of the world’s elite teams. That experience is expected to serve as valuable preparation ahead of the qualifiers in France.
Securing a qualification would mark another milestone for D’Tigress as they continue their rise in international basketball. With preparation expected to intensify in the coming months, the focus will be on fine-tuning strategies and maintaining squad fitness ahead of what promises to be a defining campaign on the road to 2026.
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