Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, coach Rena Wakama, has named a provisional squad ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifiers scheduled to hold in Lyon-Villeurbanne, France.
The African champions will take on some of the world’s strongest basketball nations in a high-profile preparatory tournament designed to sharpen the team ahead of next year’s global showpiece.
Although Nigeria has already secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup after emerging champions at the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket, the qualifiers in France will serve as a crucial competitive platform to test combinations, build chemistry, and assess tactical readiness.
Tough Test in France.
D’Tigress will face five countries across a packed schedule:
March 11: Nigeria vs Colombia
March 12: Nigeria vs South Korea
March 14: Nigeria vs Philippines
March 15: Nigeria vs France
March 17: Nigeria vs Germany
The fixtures present a blend of contrasting playing styles — from the speed and discipline of Asian sides to the physical and structured European approach — offering Nigeria valuable exposure ahead of the World Cup.
World Cup Already Secured
As reigning AfroBasket champions, Nigeria has already booked its place at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup set for September 4–13, 2026, in Berlin, Germany.
The tournament, organized by FIBA, will bring together the world’s top national teams in a 10-day battle for global supremacy.
D’Tigress will be aiming to build on their growing international reputation. Over the past decade, Nigeria has established itself as Africa’s dominant force in women’s basketball, consistently challenging higher-ranked nations on the global stage.
Focus on Fine-Tuning
With qualification already secured, the coaching crew is expected to use the France tournament to:
Evaluate fringe players in the provisional squad
Refine offensive and defensive systems
Improve transition play and perimeter shooting
Strengthen late-game execution
Facing European heavyweights like France and Germany will provide a realistic preview of the intensity expected at the World Cup in Berlin.
Eyes on Berlin 2026
The Lyon-Villeurbanne outing is more than just a qualifier — it is a statement of intent. Nigeria will be looking to measure itself against elite opposition and signal readiness ahead of the biggest stage in women’s basketball.
With momentum from their AfroBasket triumph and confidence growing within the squad, D’Tigress head to France determined to sharpen their edge and continue flying Africa’s flag proudly on the global stage.