FIBA World Cup: D’Tigress draw tough group with France, South Korea

By Victor Okoye

Nigeria’s D’Tigress have been drawn in Group B with France, South Korea and Hungary for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.

The eighth-ranked team face a competitive group widely described as open and highly challenging for qualification.

D’Tigress will renew rivalries with France and South Korea, both of whom defeated them during the World Cup qualifiers in Lyon earlier this year.

Nigeria lost 93–86 to France and 77–60 to South Korea, in spite of securing a convincing win over Colombia between both fixtures.

The results are expected to fuel Nigeria’s determination as they prepare to meet familiar opponents on the global stage once again.

The 16-team tournament will take place in Germany from Sept. 4 to Sept. 13 featuring the world’s leading women’s basketball nations.

France, ranked second globally, lead Group B, with South Korea ranked 15th and Hungary 19th completing the lineup.

Hosts Germany headline Group A alongside Spain, Japan and Mali, while Group C features Australia and Belgium in a competitive pairing.

Defending champions, the United States, top Group D, where they will face China, Italy and Czechia in their title defence.

D’Tigress Head coach, Rena Wakama, has named a 21-player provisional squad blending experience and youth, saying: “We are building depth and belief.”

The team is also scheduled to play high-profile friendlies against WNBA sides as part of preparations for the tournament.

Key players including Ezinne Kalu, Promise Amukamara and Victoria Macaulay are expected to anchor Nigeria’s squad.

Nigeria aims to build on their African dominance and translate it into stronger performances on the global stage.

The matches against France and South Korea present both a stern test and a valuable opportunity to measure progress against elite opposition.

(NAN)