The FIBA Central Board has confirmed that Rwanda will host the FIBA women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 pre-qualifying tournaments from August 19-25.
Following a bidding process, the Mexican Basketball Federation (ADEMEBA) and the Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) were granted the rights to host the events, which will be held in the capitals of Mexico and Kigali respectively.
Besides the 12 nations competing at the Paris Olympics 2024, the next best 16 teams in the world (four per region) will be in action with a first step on the road to Berlin and, ultimately, the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 in Germany.
The FIBA Central Board approved the expansion of the women's competition system following the conclusion of the previous World Cup, in line with FIBA's Women in Basketball strategic priority.
The aim is to grant a larger number of national federations a meaningful and regular international competition.
The 16 participating nations will be drawn into two tournaments, with eight teams going to Mexico City and eight teams to Kigali.
Each tournament will be composed of group play (two groups of four teams) followed by semi-finals and a Final.
Each group will include four teams from four different continents.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, while the winner of each tournament will qualify for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 qualifying tournaments taking place in March 2026.
The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 qualifying tournaments will involve 24 teams, with the winners of the Mexico and Rwanda pre-qualifying tournaments and a further 22 teams determined by results in the FIBA Women's Continental Cups 2025.
A total of 16 nations, including hosts Germany, will punch their tickets through the qualifying tournaments in 2026 and compete at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026, as part of an expanded field.
This expansion enhances inclusivity and competitiveness and creates more opportunities for the women's game, with 28 women's national teams taking part in global competitions this year and 32 teams in the World Cup year in 2026, in line with the men's World Cup field numbers.
Countries that will compete at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 pre-qualifying tournaments:
Africa: Senegal, Mali, Rwanda and Mozambique
Americas: Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela and Argentina
Asia/Oceania: New Zealand, Korea, Philippines and Lebanon
Europe: Hungary, Czechia, Montenegro and Great Britain.