Nigeria’s D’Tigress Draw Colombia, Philippines, Germany, Korea And France In 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

Nigeria’s D’Tigress, the reigning African champions, now know their path to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup after the qualifiers draw was conducted on Tuesday, October 7, at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland.

The qualifiers, scheduled for March 11-17, 2026, will be spread across four host cities—Wuhan (China), Lyon-Villeurbanne (France), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Istanbul (Turkey). It is the last hurdle before the global showdown in Berlin, Germany, where 16 of the world’s best teams will battle for glory.

Nigeria’s Challenge In Lyon-Villeurbanne

Placed in the Lyon-Villeurbanne group, D’Tigress will face a stern test against Colombia, Philippines, Germany, Korea, and hosts France. Each opponent comes with its own style of play, and navigating this group will demand the tactical depth and fighting spirit that Nigeria has become known for in recent years.

With momentum on their side, D’Tigress are no strangers to history-making performances. They became the first women’s team to win five consecutive AfroBasket titles, taking their tally to seven—just four behind Senegal’s record of 11. That dominance has made Nigeria a rising force in the global sports market, especially in women’s basketball.

Aiming For A Third World Cup Appearance

This qualifying tournament offers D’Tigress the chance to book their third appearance at the Women’s Basketball World Cup. Their debut came in 2006, followed by a remarkable quarter-final run in 2018 that shocked the basketball world and announced Nigeria as a team to watch.

Now, the African champions are determined to go even further in Berlin 2026, carrying the hopes of millions of fans and proving that African basketball belongs on the biggest stage.

The Global Picture

The full results of the qualifying draw are as follows:

• Wuhan, China: Mali, South Sudan, Brazil, Belgium, Czechia, China

• Lyon-Villeurbanne, France: Colombia, Philippines, Germany, Korea, France, Nigeria

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

• Istanbul, Turkey: Hungary, Türkiye, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Japan

It’s a lineup that guarantees drama, upsets, and elite basketball action.

Final Whistle

For Nigeria’s D’Tigress, the road to Berlin 2026 won’t be easy, but this is a team built on resilience, grit, and history-making moments. Whether they extend their dominance to the world stage remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the eyes of the sports world will be watching.

At Sports Market International, we’ll keep following every bounce, dunk, and headline as D’Tigress continue their journey. This is why we remain the best sport blog in the sports market—bringing you stories that matter, with passion and perspective.