MUNICH (Germany) - The countdown to the start of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments will soon expire and so what better time to launch the first edition of the Smart Power Rankings?
Taking into account the all-important Qualifiers draw, roster announcements and the most recent tournament results, here's how our expert panel is calling it.
1. USA
Still the team to beat and ticket secured, it's all eyes on the holders. Especially with the amazing prospect of senior FIBA debuts for Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers.
Yes, the passing of the baton is happening and we're here for it! What's not to love? And, imagine when A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart are back in the mix for Berlin too.
2. Australia
Already booked for Berlin, the Opals might be favorites in Istanbul. Their backcourt know-how is huge with Steph Talbot and Sami Whitcomb, while Jade Melbourne is emerging as a leader.
Meanwhile Cayla George, Alanna Smith, Ezi Magbegor and Alexandra Fowler means a hard-nosed rotation under the basket. They'll be so tough to beat.
3. France
Is this possibly the best French roster in recent memory - maybe ever? Discuss. If we're over-hyping, remember there are 9 members of the side that almost won gold at Paris 2024.
Backed by epic home support and an all-star cast with Gabby Williams, Marine Johannes and Dominique Malonga returning, surely it'll be one-way traffic?
4. Belgium
Coming after amazing back to back FIBA Women's EuroBasket titles, the Cats should breeze their way to Berlin, but must guard against complacency. They should compete with China to win the Wuhan Tournament.
As usual, it must be a collective effort and not just relying on the legendary Emma Meesseman and playmaker Julie Allemand.
5. China
The home crowd will give tremendous backing and there will be a lot of hype around the senior global debut of 7ft 2in teenage ace Ziyu Zhang.
They have astonishing collective size, and now they must get the right balance between their inside-outside game. Offensive potency in the paint is not in question, but downtown still remains a question mark.
6. Spain
Spanish fans might be expecting a slightly higher ranking with Megan Gustafson on board, but San Juan presents some tricky games.
Spain's defense and all-around tenacity will once again be their superpower, while the young guns like Iyana Martin and Awa Fam are representative of a very exciting changing of the guard and bright future.
7. Germany
Don't panic since there's every chance of a climb up subsequent power rankings ahead of September. The good news for new head coach Olaf Lange is the number of amazing prospects who are starting to make waves at this level such as Frieda Buhner.
They also have Nyara Sabally back after missing FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 which is a huge boost.
8. Nigeria
The African champions don't have to sweat on a ticket and will enjoy testing themselves ahead of Berlin when they could pose a threat.
Murjanatu Musa is tearing it up in EuroLeague Women and the presence of Ezinne Kalu and Amy Okonkwo especially means Nigeria might push France and Germany for a top two finish in Lyon-Villeurbanne.
9. Japan
They could have their strongest roster in years and that'll be sweet hoops music for Corey Gaines in his first global outing at the helm.
The mixture of experience and youth looks exciting and even more so if Mai Yamamoto and Rui Machida are back and alongside new rising star Kokoro Tanaka. Can this team re-discover their Tokyo 2021 vibe?
10. Italy
Buoyed by bronze medal success at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 and a first podium finish in three decades, Italy have momentum.
They will be confident of wins against Senegal, Puerto Rico and New Zealand in San Juan. Especially if Lorela Cubaj continues her physical dominance inside and with the leadership of Cecilia Zandalasini.
11. Türkiye
The appointment of Italian playcaller Andrea Mazzon came out of leftfield and it will be all eyes on the tournament hosts for this reason and many others.
The pressure will be huge in the toughest group by far, meaning the arrival of Kamiah Smalls will be vital. Also, Sevgi Uzun and Tilbe Senyurek will have to really step up. Home advantage should be decisive.
12. Brazil
The good times are flowing again for Brazil and recent years have seen them slowly but surely climbing back to the upper echelons of the global women's game.
It's mainly due to a super one-two punch of Kamilla Cardoso and Damiris Dantas. Wuhan will be tough, but they have the quality and experience to compete and punch their ticket.
13. Czechia
This might be generous for Czechia as they don't have a deep rotation, but in a Wuhan tournament where size looks vital, they have twin towers Julia Reisingerova and Emma Cechova.
That is precious and will also see them surely take wins against South Sudan and Mali. On the flip-side, they are still vulnerable so could be squeezed out.
14. Canada
Yes, it's an incredibly low ranking for Canada, but they're in this brutal Istanbul group with no scope for error, although should have enough to qualify.
They will look to Bridget Carleton for offensive punch, while Kayla Alexander offers strength inside.
15. Puerto Rico
Home advantage could be vital for the Islanders and the difference-maker. They have a new player to lean on with Imani McGee bringing some serious presence in the paint.
But if they want to make a third straight FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, they'll need the usual vibrant energy and team basketball from the group.
16. Korea
Korea's hopes are probably in the balance, but they might squeeze in if they beat Colombia and the Philippines. If Ji Su Park is firing, it will be a major boost and remember her heroics in the 2022 Qualifying Tournament - with a crazy triple-double.
They'll also hope the free-scoring Leeseul Kang can repeat her epic FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 form.
17. Hungary
Having missed FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025, they will now try to make amends. They have a marquee star in center Dorka Juhasz, who is having a super season in EuroLeague Women with Galatasaray.
But do Hungary have enough backcourt depth and quality? Heartbreak could be near unless others step up in this tough Istanbul pool.
18. New Zealand
If the Tall Ferns exceed expectations performance-wise in San Juan, they might sneak into the big show. It looks more likely they will be left feeling disappointed.
They arguably don't have the overall depth and quality of rivals - despite the presence of headliners Esra McGoldrick, Rebecca Pizzey and also young prospect Pahlyss Hokianga.
19. Mali
Anything is possible with a centerpiece in your team like Sika Kone, who can be a walking double-double and real colossus in any given game.
The group in Wuhan will probably see Mali miss out on their aim of making it to Berlin, but maybe they can turn heads and cause some upsets if Djeneba Ndiaye joins Kone with some big performances.
20. South Sudan
The fairytale continues for South Sudan after their historic first FIBA Women's AfroBasket podium place last year.
Head coach Alberto Antuna was an instant hit, but can him and his team perform a near-miracle this time? Probably not, but they will be super competitive if Delicia Washington and Maria Gakdeng are on the floor again.
21. Senegal
Without last year's FIBA Women's AfroBasket All-Star Five member and marquee baller Cierra Dillard, the hopes of qualifying have taken what could be a fatal blow.
There are still games to be won, but it needs a renaissance from Yacine Diop and the likes of Khadija Faye and Sokhna Ndiaye stepping up. But backcourt production is a concern.
22. Colombia
It's a big moment as they go toe-to-toe with some heavyweights and it'll be a real test. They'll target Philippines as a game to win, with the rest of the games looking tough.
Jenifer Munoz and Yuliany Paz will carry the fight, but the 'X-factor' in how competitive they can actually be, will likely hinge on the contributions of the supporting cast.
23. Philippines
There will be so much excitement that the Philippines are punching beyond the Continental level for the first time and the fans will be locked in like always.
Even if qualification looks to be an unrealistic proposition, but they might pull out a shock or two in Lyon-Villeurbanne behind the brilliant team leader Jack Animam and outstanding young prospect Naomi Panganiban.
24. Argentina
If it feels harsh to be placed last, just take a look at the quality in the Istanbul group. On paper, it's an absolute nightmare for the underdogs.
There are no games where they will be favorites and a lack of firepower means they will have to find a gear not seen in years. All eyes on Melisa Gretter and Florencia Chagas who will need to ball out.
Disclaimer: The Power Rankings are entirely subjective and are in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.
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