BERLIN (Germany) - Mali were always going to arrive at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 as a team being written off and widely expected to fall at the very first hurdle.
Being handed a tough group draw for the initial phase has intensified their status as underdogs, but they also know what it takes to win at the global level.
Consequently, anyone taking them lightly could end up regretting it. There is a possibility Mali can maybe flourish without the weight of expectation or any particular pressure resting on their shoulders. Especially with big talent in the likes of star duo, Sika Kone and Maimouna Haidara.
How they qualified
Mali emerged from the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in Wuhan not only beating fellow African side, South Sudan, but also recording a statement victory against European opposition. Their success against Czechia was excellent and they almost beat Brazil too. These three displays bode well for Berlin.
FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament (Wuhan, China) Gameday 1: China 81-68 Mali (L) Game Report Gameday 2: Mali 77-64 Czechia (W) Game Report Gameday 3: Belgium 81-50 Mali (L) Game Report Gameday 4: Mali 73-76 Brazil (L) Game Report Gameday 5: South Sudan 74-97 Mali (W) Game Report
Women's World Cup pedigree
Number of participations (including 2026): 3
Last participation: 2022 (11th)
Best finish: 11th (2022)
Podium finishes: None
Current FIBA World Ranking for Women, presented by Nike: 18th
Last 10 FIBA events
Year | Event | Location | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
2025 | FIBA Women's AfroBasket | Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire | 2nd |
2024 | Olympic Games | Paris, France | Did not participate |
2023 | FIBA Women's AfroBasket | Kigali, Rwanda | 3rd |
2022 | FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup | Sydney, Australia | 10th |
2021 | FIBA Women's AfroBasket | Yaounde, Cameroon | 2nd |
2020 | Olympic Games | Tokyo, Japan | Did not participate |
2019 | FIBA Women's AfroBasket | Dakar, Senegal | 3rd |
2018 | FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup | Tenerife, Spain | Did not participate |
2017 | FIBA Women's AfroBasket | Bamako, Mali | 3rd |
2016 | Olympic Games | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Did not participate |
The Group Phase
There will be a strong sense of deja vu for any Mali ballers who stepped out in Sydney four years ago, since they will tip-off their World Cup campaign against Japan once again. It will be a battle of styles, with Mali looking to make the most of their imposing physical approach. The games against European duo Spain and Germany will be huge tests, but you can't 100 percent rule out a shock victory for the Africans if they shoot the ball well.
Group Phase Games
Japan vs Mali (Sep 4) Mali vs Spain (Sep 5) Germany vs Mali (Sep 7)
Players to watch
Sika Kone is renowned as one of the most talented frontcourt players in the global game when it comes to FIBA international tournaments and productivity. Ever since her youth days, she has been a machine on the boards and led her team with a devastating scoring threat. She will once again be a centerpiece of Mali's challenge.
Maimouna Haidara is a do-it-all baller who's only just turned 22 years-old and is still maturing. Exceptional at the Qualifying Tournament, she led Mali in efficiency, scoring and steals. Always involved in games and rarely quiet, she is an enormous 'X-Factor' because when she is focused, she can be too hot to handle for opposing defenses.
Fear and Hope
The fear for Mali is that one of their two big-hitters is below par or can't handle the defensive coverage imposed by their opponents. It's tough to envisage a successful tournament without high output from Kone and Haidara - and that is a big pressure for the duo.
The hope is that those surrounding their twin turbos can step up. Certainly at the Qualifying Tournament in Wuhan there were some positive signs. Mali had four players posting double-digit scoring averages in the competition and that is something they can potentially replicate. If they do, it will transform their prospects in the German capital.
FIBA