MIES (Switzerland) - The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 is almost here and that means it's time to answer some of the key questions ahead of the action getting underway.
We've broken down everything you need to know ahead of the curtain being raised at the big show.
What is the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup?
This will be the landmark 20th edition of the prestigious flagship event and will extend the stunning legacy of a famous competition that has shaped and influenced the sport for more than seven decades.
From truly inspiring trailblazers to FIBA Hall of Famers and legends of the game, as well as rising stars that lit it up at their first global event, the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup has delivered so many magical memories.
Inaugurated during 1953 in Chile, USA have dominated historically and landed 11 crowns, including the 2022 edition in Sydney. The Soviet Union also enjoyed big success with five consecutive titles between 1959 and 1975, prior to lifting their last title in 1983.
There have been only two other winners, with both requiring legendary players to come out on top. An iconic Brazil team were crowned champions in 1994 as a golden generation including FIBA Hall of Fame trio Hortencia Marcari, Janeth Dos Santos Arcain and Maria ‘Magic Paula’ Goncalves Da Silva all breathed fire.
The Opals then delivered their greatest ever moment on a global stage in 2006 when legendary duo Lauren Jackson and Penny Taylor ensured that Australia lifted the silverware for the first time.
When and where is the Women's Basketball World Cup?
The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 takes place in Berlin, Germany between September 4 and 13.
Games will take place at the 14,000 seat Berlin Arena and the 9,000 capacity Max-Schmeling-Halle.
Which teams will feature?
Due to the amazing success of the last edition in Sydney four years ago, as well as the soaring popularity of women's global hoops, the field has been expanded to 16 teams.
Along with host nation Germany, all winners of the respective 2025 Continental Competitions punched a direct ticket. Other spots were sealed via four exciting FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments which concluded back in March.
This was also preceded by the historic first ever Pre-Qualifying Tournaments, with both Czechia and Hungary starting on the 'Road to Berlin' more than two years ago.
If you click on each country, it will take you to a bespoke team profile which tells you everything you need to know about that competing nation's prospects.
Group A: Spain, Germany, Japan, Mali
Group B: France, Korea, Hungary, Nigeria
Group C: Australia, Belgium, Puerto Rico, Türkiye
Group D: China, Czechia, Italy, USA.
What is the format?
The opening stage will see four groups made up of four teams, who will all play each other on a round-robin basis. These games will take place between Friday September 4 and Monday September 7.
The group winners will advance directly to the Quarter-Finals which will take place on Thursday September 10, with the teams finishing last in each group being eliminated.
The second and third placed teams in each group will compete in the Qualification to the Quarter-Finals which are scheduled for Tuesday September 8 and Wednesday September 9.
The Semi-Finals will take place on Saturday September 12, with the Final and Third Place Game on Sunday September 13.
For more on the Competition System, click here.
Which stars will be playing?
The event will see the biggest names in the global women's game stepping out in pursuit of glory.
From last year's Continental MVP's including the likes of Emma Meesseman of Belgium, to 2022 World Cup MVP A'ja Wilson. There will also be plenty of focus on debuting USA trio Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese, as well as rising stars like Japan's Kokora Tanaka and Dominique Malonga of France.
The level of talent will be off the charts, so watch out for our rising star profiles, the Top 20 players to watch, the MVP Ladder and a list of must-watch debutantes.
How can I buy tickets?
Tickets for the games are available at the official ticket portals.
How else can I follow the event?
Our social media team will be hard at work to give you the best coverage possible on dedicated FIBA channels on Instagram, Facebook and X. Look out for #FIBAWWC and make sure you include the hashtag on your posts too!
You can also download the Women's World Cup App and subscribe to the newsletter.
FIBA