D’Tigress To Know 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Group Stage Opponents April 21

The wait is almost over for Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, as they prepare to discover their group-stage opponents for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. The official draw ceremony is scheduled to take place next Tuesday, April 21, in Berlin, Germany.

A total of 16 nations have secured their places at the prestigious global tournament, and they will be split into four groups of four teams each. The seeding for the draw is determined by the latest FIBA Women’s World Ranking, ensuring that the strongest teams are distributed evenly across the groups.

D’Tigress have been placed in Pot 2, a testament to their rising stature on the international stage. They are joined in Pot 2 by three other powerhouse programs: China, Belgium, and Spain. Being in Pot 2 means Nigeria will avoid facing those three teams in the group phase, but they could still be drawn against top-ranked sides from Pot 1, as well as emerging nations from Pots 3 and 4.

As the African champions and a team that has consistently impressed at recent major tournaments—including deep runs at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket and historic Olympic appearances—D’Tigress are determined to make a strong statement at the 2026 World Cup.

In preparation for the high-stakes competition, head coach Rena Wakama has already launched an intensive training camp. On Thursday, the squad embarked on a preparatory tour in the United States, where they will sharpen their skills against elite professional opposition.

As part of the tour, D’Tigress will face three WNBA teams in high-profile friendly matches: the Los Angeles Sparks, the Minnesota Lynx, and the Indiana Fever. These games will provide invaluable experience against world-class athletes and help the team build chemistry ahead of the World Cup.