ISTANBUL (Türkiye ) - Japan have made the jump to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 after getting the win they needed against Argentina and then subsequently celebrating Australia beating Canada, which confirmed their spot.
Having lost their first three games in Istanbul, Japan signed off with consecutive victories, beating Argentina by 83-39 behind a team-high 17 points from Aika Hirashita.
Women's World Cup Pedigree
Japan
Number of participations (including 2026): 15
Last participation: 2022 (9th)
Best finish: 2nd (1975)
Current FIBA World Ranking for Women, presented by Nike: 11th
How They Qualified
Gameday 1: Japan 65-77 Hungary (L) Game Report Gameday 2: Australia 81-71 Japan (L) Game Report Gameday 3: Japan 67-75 Türkiye (L) Game Report Gameday 4: Canada 62-66 Japan (W) Game Report Gameday 5: Japan 83-39 Argentina (W) Game Report
Qualifiers Heroes
While it's been more of a team effort from Japan, guard duo Mai Yamamoto and Kokoro Tanaka have both brought the noise in the backcourt.
Yamamoto with her dynamic plays getting out in transition and skimming to the hoop, while rising star Tanaka has found her range downtown and lived up to the billing as one of the most exciting players of her generation.
Past Qualifiers
Japan
Edition | Record |
|---|---|
2022 (Osaka, Japan) | 1-1 (2nd in Group A) |
FIBA