Introduction
The Basketball World Cup spotlight turns to Berlin in September 2026, as this year’s FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will bring together 16 teams from across the world fighting for the title of the world champion. The tournament will run from September 4-13 2026. It will feature 36 games planned over 10 days.
For those who are fans, knowing the schedule, groups as well as the competition format and the route to qualification will make the tournament simpler to follow. This guide explains the fundamentals about this year FIBA World Cup, including the teams participating, crucial games, tournament structure and what you can expect in Berlin.
Quick Fact: This year’s FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 includes the participation of 16 teams in 36 different games as well as 10 days of action located in Berlin, Germany.
What Is the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026?
The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 is the most prestigious international basketball tournament in women’s basketball. The 2026 edition is scheduled to be held by Berlin, Germany, from September 4-13.
The tournament has increased by a number of teams, from just 12 in 2022 up to 16, by 2026. This is a reflection of the increasing popularity of women’s basketball in the world.
FIBA World Cup 2026 Teams and Groups
Each team is split into four groups comprising four teams:
| Group | Teams |
| Group A | Japan, Spain, Germany, Mali |
| Group B | Hungary, Korea, Nigeria, France |
| Group C | Belgium, Australia, Puerto Rico, Turkiye |
| Group D | USA, Czechia, Italy, China |
The teams were confirmed following the draw of the official tournament.
How Did the Teams Qualify?
Germany is automatically qualified as host, while 2025 continental champions – USA, Belgium, Australia, and Nigeria were also directly qualified. The remaining spots were determined by FIBA’s qualifying tournaments.
FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Schedule
The tournament starts with the start date of September 4th and will end with the final game on September 13. The official schedule provides the exact times for games and venues in Berlin.
Key Tournament Dates
| Stage | Date |
| Group Phase | September 4-7 |
| Qualification to Quarter-Finals | September 8 |
| Quarter-Finals | September 9-10 |
| Semi-Finals | September 12 |
| Third-Place Game | September 13 |
| Final | September 13 |
The system of competition is created so that winners from groups are automatically in the quarterfinals third- and third-place teams play a further elimination game.
Matches to Watch
A number of group stage matchups immediately stand out since they feature teams with solid international reputes.
- Spain vs Germany — Group A
- Hungary vs France — Group B
- Belgium vs Turkiye — Group C
- USA vs China — Group D
- Italy vs USA — Group D
- Japan vs Spain — Group A
These are some of the scheduled group stage fixtures outlined by FIBA.
How Does the FIBA World Cup Format Work?
The format is easy to follow:
- 16 teams are split into four teams.
- Each team plays other teams in its group.
- Group winners go directly into the quarter-finals.
- Teams who finish in the top two spots are into the Qualification to Quarter-Finals stage.
- The winners of these elimination games will join the four winners of the group.
- The quarter-finals as well as the semi-finals the third place game and final utilize single elimination formats.
That means that finishing first within the team is particularly beneficial because it offers an immediate route into the semi-finals.
Teams and Players to Watch
The USA are the 2022 women’s World Cup champions, while teams like Australia, Belgium, Spain, France, Japan and hosts Germany have significant international competition. Fans of individual players must follow the official roster tracker when the teams are finalized and the preparation games are ongoing before the tournament.
Basketball World Cup 2026: Key Facts
Tournament: FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026
Host: Berlin, Germany
Dates: September 4-13, 2026
Teams: 16
Games: 36
Groups: 4
Previous Champion: USA, 2022
FAQs:
When is the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026?
The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 will take place between September 4 to September 13 2026 located in Berlin, Germany. The tournament will feature 16 national teams competing in 36 games over 10 days.
What teams will be taking part for the 2026 Basketball World Cup 2026?
The 2026 women’s championship will comprise 16 teams, an improvement over the 12-team format that was used for the event in 2022. The teams will be divided into four teams comprising 4 teams for the first phase.
Where will the FIBA World Cup 2026 be?
It is expected that the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 will take place in Berlin, Germany. The event’s events are focused on the host city as well as the official FIBA schedule that includes the details of each game and their places.
Which teams will be participating in the FIBA World Cup 2026 this season?
The 16 teams include Japan, Spain, Germany, Mali, Hungary, Korea, Nigeria, France, Belgium, Australia, Puerto Rico, Turkiye, USA, Czechia, Italy and China.
What’s the format for the FIBA Women’s World Cup this season?
The four teams of the group compete in the group phase. The winners of the group advance to the quarterfinals, while teams in third and second place participate in qualifier games. The knockout phase continues to the semi-finals of the quarter-finals final and.
Who was the winner of the last Women’s Basketball World Cup?
The USA won the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Australia. In 2026, the World Cup offers the USA the opportunity to defend their title in Berlin.
Where can they find their actual FIBA schedule?
Fans can look up for the latest FIBA tournament schedule for the latest games, dates and results, as well as groups and match details. This schedule will be the most reliable source for any last-minute changes.
Conclusion
The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 promises to be an important international basketball event, featuring 16 teams playing in Berlin between September 4 and 13. The new structure, four competitive groups and knockout rounds with single elimination provide plenty of exciting matches to be played.
For the most up-to-date schedule, results, teams’ information, fixtures, and tournament news, visit these official FIBA competition pages prior to planning your schedule of viewing. Fans can also watch the preparation games of teams as they get ready for the September tournament.
