Mali, Senegal and South Sudan start quest for 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup slots

South Sudan players celebrate after the win against Uganda in the 2025 FIBA Women's AfroBasket Quarterfinals (Credit: FIBA)

The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments tip off on Wednesday, March 11, in four different cities: Istanbul (Turkiye), Lyon (France), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Wuhan (China).

Three African countries, all semifinalists from last year’s FIBA Women’s Afrobasket, are set to compete for a slot at the global event, which will be played in Berlin, Germany, later this year.

AfroBasket silver medalists Mali, bronze medalists South Sudan and Senegal will be looking to finish among the top three at their respective tournaments to qualify for the World Cup.

Mali and South Sudan will be up against hosts China, Brazil, Czechia, and EuroBasket champions Belgium.

Meanwhile, Senegal will battle top-ranked USA, Women’s EuroBasket powerhouse Spain, Italy, New Zealand and hosts Puerto Rico.

It should be noted that Nigeria already qualified as the winners of the Women’s AfroBasket but will be participating in the qualifying tournaments like the other four continental winners, Australia, Belgium, China, and the USA, as well as hosts Germany.

Who Qualifies for the World Cup?

• The top three teams from each tournament will qualify for the Women’s World Cup, along with a Continental Cup winner.
• In the Qualifying Tournament that features both a Continental Cup champion and host nation Germany, only the top two teams will advance.

Fixtures | East African Time

Wednesday, March 11

• Czechia vs. South Sudan – 8:30 am
• China vs. Mali – 2:30 pm
• Nigeria vs. Colombia – 4:00 pm

Thursday, March 12

• USA vs. Senegal – 12:00 am (Midnight)
• South Sudan vs. Brazil – 8:30 am
• Mali vs. Czechia – 11:30 am
• Korea vs. Nigeria – 4:00 pm
• Senegal vs. Spain – 9:00 pm

Saturday, March 14

• Belgium vs. Mali – 11:30 am
• China vs. South Sudan – 2:30 pm
• Nigeria vs. Philipines – 4:00 pm
• Senegal vs. New Zealand – 9:00. pm

Sunday, March 15

• Mali vs. Brazil – 8:30 am
• South Sudan vs. Belgium – 11:30 am
• France vs. Nigeria – 9:00 pm

Monday, March 16

• Puerto Rico vs. Senegal – 3:00 am

Tuesday, March 17

• South Sudan vs. Mali – 8:30 am
• Nigeria vs.Germany – 7:00 pm
• Senegal vs.Italy – 9:00 pm

Source: https://kawowo.com/2026/03/10/mali-senegal-and-south-sudan-start-quest-for-2026-fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-slots/