BERLIN (Germany) - Group C of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be a possible shootout between heavyweight duo Australia and Belgium, but big upsets can't be completely discounted.
The reigning FIBA Women's EuroBasket and Asia Cup Women champions will test themselves in an early meeting that many believe will be a fight for first place in this pool.
However, both Türkiye and Puerto Rico will feel they have the capacity to tear up the script when the action gets underway.
The Favorite: Australia
It's a coin toss between Australia and Belgium, but maybe the Opals will be marginal favorites - if only because they beat the Cats at Paris 2024 in the bronze medal game and were more convincing en-route to continental success last year.
Sandy Brondello is bringing back only half of that Olympics roster, although this includes all the big rollers like Sami Whitcomb, Steph Talbot, Ezi Magbegor and Alanna Smith, their prospects could hinge on how the supporting cast performs and if not at their best, then Belgium have every chance of showing they are the true favorites.
The Underdog: Puerto Rico
It was an uphill struggle to punch their ticket, but Puerto Rico got the wins they needed in the Qualifying Tournament on home soil in San Juan to advance when they beat New Zealand and Senegal. It's going to be tough, but they have experience as this is their third consecutive edition.
Getting wins on the board for the first time at Sydney 2022 made history, something it will be difficult to replicate in a brutal group. Arella Guirantes, Trinity San Antonio and Imani McGee-Stafford all bring quality to the table. But the reality is that 16th in the standings is the most likely outcome unless they produce something seriously special.
The Pivotal Game: Australia vs Belgium
With a direct ticket to the Quarter-Finals feeling like such a big prize, this one will be an epic meeting. The Paris 2024 clash was a treat and it was Ezi Magbegor who showed out with a monumental display to take the Opals to success.
Both teams went unbeaten at the Qualifying Tournaments and win or lose this early matchup, both will still be eyeing a podium finish in Berlin. It's a game packed with star names, on two quality rosters of nations who play team-focused basketball. What's not to love?
The Superstar: Emma Meesseman (Belgium)
A bonafide legend, Meesseman remains a colossus for her country. The back-to-back FIBA Women's EuroBasket MVP has been at the heart of making history for the Cats as their standout leader. Now she continues in the quest to break yet more new ground.
The forward will be the heartbeat of Belgium yet again as the Cats look to write a new chapter with a first-ever global medal. They came close in Paris when fourth and were also fourth in the 2018 World Cup. If they are to get onto the podium, they will need their superstar to be at her absolutely astounding and brilliant best.
The Rising Star: Isobel Borlase (Australia)
Preparing to make her World Cup debut, the 22-year-old could be an 'X-factor' player for the Opals. She is growing in influence, finishing with a double-digit scoring return in Istanbul at the Qualifying Tournament.
In the top six for minutes earned too, it's a great sign of how much she is trusted by Coach Brondello. And, with the Opals' main question mark potentially being in respect of having sufficient production from the wings, maybe they have unearthed someone who can answer that call in the shape of Borlase.
Did you know?
- At different points during the last four editions, Belgium, Türkiye and Australia have all made the Semi-Finals - with the last two also doing so as the host nations. Meanwhile the Opals also made the title game in 2018.
- It was Australia who denied Türkiye a historic bronze medal on debut in 2014 as the Opals completed a comfortable win in the Third Place Game.
- Winless in their first ever appearance in 2018 in Tenerife, Puerto Rico didn't just make history with a maiden win at Sydney 2022, they claimed two victories. It was also their first success on the senior global stage, having left Tokyo 2020 empty-handed on Olympic debut.
FIBA