AFCON 2025
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has once again denied Nneka Ogwumike’s application to play for the Nigerian women’s national basketball team at upcoming global events, marking the third rejection of her eligibility request.
The latest decision blocks the 34-year-old from representing Nigeria at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Ogwumike, a former WNBA MVP and long-time member of the U.S. women’s national team, first sought to switch allegiance to Nigeria ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where her younger sisters Chiney and Erica Ogwumike were cleared to play for D’Tigress. Since then, she has submitted multiple appeals to FIBA without success.
A key factor in the governing body’s refusal has been her previous participation with the United States at major world competitions. Ogwumike played for Team USA at the 2014 and 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cups, contributing to title-winning campaigns. FIBA rules heavily restrict nationality changes for players who have appeared in senior-level competitions for another country.
This week’s decision further dims Ogwumike’s hopes of ever wearing Nigerian colors on the international stage, despite her long-standing desire to represent the country of her family heritage.
With this latest denial, it remains unclear whether she will pursue another appeal or shift her focus solely to club competition and advocacy off the court.
Ogwumike has not yet issued a public response to FIBA’s ruling.
