KIGALI (Rwanda) - By Sunday, August 25, only one of the eight teams gathered in Kigali, Rwanda, will have progressed to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament.
Based on the eight teams' current and recent circumstances, we rank them from bottom to top.
8. ARGENTINA
The Argentines are chasing their first World Cup appearance since 2018 when they returned home empty-handed in three Group Phase games, in a tournament held in Tenerife, Spain.
As they return to another world stage event, Argentina's recent results are anything but impressive.
Except for their second-place finish in the 2022 FIBA South America Women's Championship held on home soil, 'Las Gigantes' are experiencing some tough time in terms of results.
And a 1-4 record at FIBA Women's Americup 2023; a poor track record against non-South American teams and the absence of forward Andrea Boquete could make things really tough for Argentina in Kigali.
7. RWANDA
This is Rwanda's first-ever appearance at a world stage event, and sitting 74th in the FIBA World Rankings - the lowest among all eight teams - indicates how hard this tournament could be to Cheikh Sarr's team.
Local media reports suggest Rwanda will count with the services of Keisha Hampton, a 34-year-old who had a brief WNBA career with Minnesota Lynx and Chicago Sky. If confirmed, Hampton's addition could be a major boost for the East African team.
However, a close look at how Rwanda underperformed against two African high-ranked teams, Mali and Nigeria, losing by 30+ points per game at Women's AfroBasket 2023 held on home soil, indicates that there was lots of room for improvement.
6. PHILIPPINES
The Filipinas have secured their place in Asia Women's Cup Division 1 last year, but they now face a new reality as they chase their first World Cup appearance.
Although the islanders count with some talented players on their roster, it's hard to see how they can overcome the likes of Hungary, Senegal and Brazil in Group C, but as they say, the game isn't over until it's over.
5. BRAZIL
The only top-10 team among the 16 Women's World Cup Pre-Qualifying teams, Brazil face an uphill task in Kigali, as they seem to be living a new era following the unavailability of Damaris Dantas, Kamilla Cardoso, Taina Paixao and Erika de Souza, who retired from the national team. Coach Jose Neto, who led the South Americans for the last six years, has been replaced by Bruna Rodrigues, another sign of Brazil's new era.
Last February, Brazil came up short in the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 held on home soil after losses to Australia (60-55), Serbia (72-65) and Germany (73-71).
Missing out the last two editions of the Olympic Games has certainly hurt Brazil, but failing to qualify to two straight Women's Basketball World Cup tournaments isn't what they envision, but they need to pass the tough Kigali test.
4. LEBANON
They might have had a modest FIBA Women's Asia Cup last year, but continuity and consistency over the last two years is what makes this Lebanon a potential cinderella in this Pre-Qualifying Tournament.
3. SENEGAL
The No.3 team in Africa - according to FIBA World Ranking - are eager to return to the Women's Basketball World Cup for the first time since 2018, and their ambition is reflected in the hiring of Coach Otis Hughley, a man who led their rivals Nigeria to back-to-back African Championships titles in 2019 and 2021.
But what makes this Senegal team a threat is the firepower that young talented players like Ndioma Kane and Sabou Gueye bring to the table.
2. GREAT BRITAIN
The tenacity and high level of competitiveness that Great Britain displayed at Women's EuroBasket 2023 is enough reason to believe that this team can make some noise in Kigali. Leading the GB team's offense is fearless Holly Winterburn, who can do it all, from playing tough defense to attacking the basket with ferocity.
GB are chasing their first World Cup appearance, and Kigali might just the be the starting of that much-awaited goal.
1. HUNGARY
They have size, they play tough and bringing to Kigali the same roster that finished fourth at Women's EuroBasket 2023 and missed out the Paris Olympics by a whisker make this Hungarian team the No.1 pick in this Power Ranking.
FIBA
*The power rankings are entirely subjective and are in no way a true and accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.