D'Tigress land in pot 2 ahead of Berlin draw
Nigeria’s D’Tigress have been placed in Pot 2 ahead of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 draw, setting the stage for a high-stakes unveiling of group opponents on April 21 in Berlin.
The ceremony, scheduled to take place at the iconic Kraftwerk Berlin, marks a major checkpoint in the build-up to the global showpiece, where 16 nations will be drawn into groups for the expanded tournament.
For the first time, the Women’s World Cup will feature 16 teams an increase from 12 following the resounding success of the 2022 edition in Sydney. This year’s competition will run from September 4 to 13 in Germany, with the host nation seeded in Pot 1 alongside powerhouses United States, France, and Australia.
D’Tigress, Africa’s dominant force in recent years, find themselves in a competitive Pot 2 that includes China, Belgium, and Spain further confirmation of Nigeria’s growing stature on the global stage.
The remaining pots feature a blend of experience and returning contenders. Pot 3 includes Japan, Puerto Rico, Italy, and South Korea, while Pot 4 is made up of Turkey, Czechia, Mali, and Hungary. Notably, Italy return to the tournament after a 32-year absence, Hungary end a 28-year wait, and Mali make history with back-to-back World Cup qualifications for the first time.
As per FIBA regulations, the draw will adhere to geographical balance, ensuring no group contains more than two European teams and only one side each from Africa, the Americas, and Asia/Oceania.
Nigeria will be making their third appearance at the tournament, having previously featured in 2006 and 2018. Meanwhile, reigning champions United States will be chasing a remarkable fifth consecutive title, while South Korea extend their record streak to 18 appearances.
The draw event will also carry a touch of star power, with FIBA Hall of Famer and global ambassador Sue Bird set to present the trophy a fitting presence given her four World Cup triumphs with Team USA.
Beyond the draw, preparations are already in motion for D’Tigress.
Just five days after the ceremony, the team will embark on a high-profile WNBA tour in the United States as part of their build-up. They open camp in Los Angeles before facing the Los Angeles Sparks on April 25, Minnesota Lynx on April 27, and Indiana Fever on May 2 fixtures designed to sharpen their edge against elite competition.
Their clash with the Lynx will be particularly significant, marking only the fourth time a WNBA franchise will face an international side, underlining the weight of the opportunity for the Nigerian team.
Recent qualification outings in March saw D’Tigress record wins over Colombia and the Philippines, alongside defeats to South Korea, France, and Germany results that form part of a broader preparation strategy rather than impacting their World Cup status.
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