MIES (Switzerland) - The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments are almost here and that means an opportunity to see the biggest names in the sport fighting it out at the highest level. An array of stars are ready to take to the floor in Istanbul and we've picked out just some of the ballers to put on your must-watch list.
You can also use the fan poll below to cast your vote and let us know who you think will have the biggest impact at this tournament.
Alanna Smith - Australia
FORWARD
Birth Date: September 10, 1996 (20 years old) Height: 1.90m (6ft 3in)
Not available for FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025, the return of Smith is a massive boost for the Opals and especially in the context of how she elevated her displays at Paris 2024. With that kind of impact again, the forward will remain a leader for Australia, not least because of her versatility to play multiple spots.
Ezi Magbegor - Australia
CENTER
Birth Date: August 13, 1999 (26 years old) Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in)
The last time Magbegor suited up for the Opals in a big tournament was at Paris 2024 when she put in a display for the ages with that jaw-dropping performance efficiency valuation of 45 in the bronze medal game. The center's length, wingspan, mobility and scoring presence always gives the Opals an added edge in the paint.
Melisa Gretter - Argentina
GUARD
Birth Date: January 24, 1993 (33 years old) Height: 1.67m (5ft 6in)
With Argentina the underdogs in this 'Group of Death', any chances they have of causing an upset (or two) will most likely stem from their veteran guard. Gretter has the offensive game to keep them competitive and shows no signs of slowing down after making the All-Second Team at FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2025.
Dorka Juhasz - Hungary
CENTER
Birth Date: December 18, 1999 (26 years old) Height: 1.92m (6ft 4in)
Playing the best basketball of her career in a sparkling season at Galatasaray, the center must carry a big chunk of her nation's hopes. A towering presence inside, she can drop anchor for Hungary on both ends of the floor. If she continues her rich vein of form, her scoring and rebounding production might help squeeze out a ticket to Berlin.
Sevgi Uzun - Türkiye
GUARD
Birth Date: November 15, 1997 (28 years old) Height: 1.78m (5ft 10in)
You will be hard pressed to find a more dedicated and smart player on the international stage as Uzun, who is the player that runs the team. Forget numbers and statistics, the guard might sometimes attain those, but it is the extremely impressive leadership, composure and ability to come up big in crunch time that everyone appreciates
Kennedy Burke - Türkiye
GUARD
Birth Date: February 14, 1997 (28 years old) Height: 1.85m (6ft 1in)
A change of direction for the tournament hosts sees the naturalized spot for Burke, with the do-it-all guard very different to center duo Teaira McCowan and Quanitra Hollingsworth. A polished performer in EuroLeague and EuroCup Women, she will bring scoring options to the table and all-around quality in every facet of the game.
Bridget Carleton - Canada
GUARD
Birth Date: May 22, 1997 (28 years old) Height: 1.85m (6ft 1in)
Whenever Canada need an offensive boost or big shot made, look no further than Carleton. Once of the most impactful perimeter players in the game, she can make it rain from long-range and often does. But she is also great at being physically competitive on defense too and is now arguably her team's most influential player right now.
Kayla Alexander - Canada
CENTER
Birth Date: January 5, 1991 (35 years old) Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in)
Even if Alexander now has veteran status at 35 years-old, she continues to play as well as at any time during her career. Her consistency in performance is so valuable for Canada and she will be essential in providing a scoring threat inside and also matching up with some talented opposing centers who will be stepping out in this group.
Mai Yamamoto - Japan
GUARD
Birth Date: October 23, 1999 (26 years old) Height: 1.63m (5ft 4in)
After a breakout FIBA Women's Asia Cup three years ago and pouring in 17 points per game at Paris 2024, injury has slowed down the progress of the guard. However, expect her to start climbing back up the ladder on the biggest stage as she has such an irresistible scoring mindset and should re-establish herself as a standout.
Rui Machida - Japan
GUARD
Birth Date: March 8, 1993 (32 years old) Height: 1.62m (5ft 4in)
Could this year be swansong for Machida after missing FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025? Expected to be back on the global stage again, the veteran playmaker will try to re-kindle the kind of form that saw her breaking assists records at Tokyo 2021. In sublime form at club level, she recently dished out 36 dimes across just three games.
The final rosters will be officially confirmed on the eve of the respective Qualifying Tournaments. The players selected are not guaranteed to participate, with the list above for fan engagement purposes only.
FIBA