AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have been handed a challenging path to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup after being drawn in Group B of the final qualifying round.
The draw, conducted at FIBA’s headquarters in Mies, Switzerland, on Monday, confirmed that Nigeria will play their qualifiers in Lyon-Villeurbanne, France, from March 11 to 17, 2026.
The African champions will face strong opposition in France, Germany, Korea, Colombia, and the Philippines. France, the host of Group B, are among the top European teams, while Germany continue to rise on the continent.
Korea and the Philippines will provide competitive tests from Asia, and Colombia add an unpredictable element from the Americas.
With only a limited number of qualification spots available from each of the four global qualifying tournaments, D’Tigress must finish among the top sides in their group to book a ticket to the World Cup in Berlin. The draw principles ensured geographical balance, with two European nations and representation from every continent in each group.
Nigeria’s participation comes on the back of their triumph at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, where they were crowned African champions for a record sixth time. The team will now look to build on that success and secure their place among the world’s best once again.
