Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have been handed a challenging group at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup following the official draw held in Berlin, Germany.
The African champions will face France, Korea, and Hungary in Group B, setting up what is widely considered one of the most competitive groups in the tournament.
The draw featured 16 qualified nations divided into four groups of four teams, with Nigeria placed in Pot 2 ahead of the ceremony. The tournament is scheduled to take place from September 4 to 13, 2026, in Germany.
For D’Tigress, the group presents a significant test against top-level opposition from Europe and Asia. France, in particular, enters the competition as one of the strongest teams globally, while Hungary and Korea also bring solid international pedigree.
Despite the difficulty of the group, Nigeria will be confident going into the tournament as reigning African champions, a title they have consistently defended in recent years.
Preparations for the World Cup are already underway, with the team set for a high-profile training tour in the United States. Head coach Rena Wakama has named a provisional squad of 21 players for the pre-tournament camp as the team intensifies its build-up.
As part of the tour, D’Tigress will face several WNBA sides in friendly matches, including fixtures against the Los Angeles Sparks on April 25, Minnesota Lynx on April 27, and Indiana Fever on May 2.
The technical crew has also been strengthened with the addition of Stanley Boateng, who joins the team as an assistant coach ahead of the preparatory games.
With a demanding group and strong preparation schedule, D’Tigress will be aiming to make a statement on the global stage as they look to build on their growing reputation in international women’s basketball.
