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 Lyon-Villeurbanne 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.
Gabby Williams - France
FORWARD
Birth Date: September 9, 1996 (29 years old) Height: 1.80m (5ft 11in)
Back after missing FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025, the presence of Williams always gives France another dimension. An elite baller, her defensive presence and ability to spark the team when needed is huge. Superb at Paris 2024, if she hits those heights again, then the hosts will be unstoppable.
Marine Johannes - France
GUARD
Birth Date: January 21, 1995 (31 years old) Height: 1.77m (5ft 10in)
What's not to love about watching Marine Johannes playing basketball? Fans will absolutely love seeing her on home soil and while the actual numbers might not always consistently match the talent, few if any ballers can entertain in the same way. She's still box-office and a walking highlights reel.
Afril Bernardino - Philippines
GUARD
Birth Date: April 3, 1996 (29 years old) Height: 1.73 m (5ft 8in)
If Philippines are going to be competitive, they need the high octane game of Bernardino to fuel their campaign. She brings so much energy on the floor, will likely try and combine getting downhill to the basket and letting it fly from long-range. She missed FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025, so it will feel good to see her suiting up again.
Jenifer Munoz - Colombia
SMALL FORWARD
Birth Date: November 1, 1991 (34 years old) Height: 1.71m (5ft 7in)
It's going to be a special feeling for Colombia as they take to this stage for the first time and deserved reward for their veteran leader. Munoz showed at FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2025 that she is still capable of delivering a scoring punch from the backcourt and her team will certainly need that again to be competitive.
Nyara Sabally - Germany
FORWARD / CENTER
Birth Date: February 26, 2000 (26 years old) Height: 1.87m (6ft 2in)
The return of the powerhouse will be a huge bonus for Germany, with Sabally having showcased her impact at the global level via her Paris 2024 contribution, before injury cut her tournament short. She will bring an added edge and does of quality in the paint for an already stacked frontcourt rotation.
Alexis Peterson - Germany
GUARD
Birth Date: June 20, 1995 (30 years old) Height: 1.65m (5ft 5in)
The playmaker is the baller that makes Germany tick and it's no surprise that her arrival has coincided with their rise to prominence in the last few years. Peterson brings experience and composure and is effectively the 'big brain' of the team. She loves to pull all the strings and can also impact points-wise.
Leeseul Kang - Korea
FORWARD
Birth Date: April 5, 1994 (31 years old) Height: 1.80m (5ft 11in)
The forward has consistently been amongst the leading scorers for her country and with Korea's prospects of advancing looking to be on a knife-edge, they'll need Kang to be firing again. Her talent is also highlighted by a record FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup performance efficiency valuation of 44 in Sydney.
Ji Su Park - Korea
CENTER
Birth Date: December 6, 1998 (27 years old) Height: 1.98m (6ft 6in)
Park had a solid if unspectacular FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025, so will the standout center now move through the gears? If she gets near the level of the Qualifying Tournaments in 2022, Korea will punch their ticket. The center landed a famous triple-double and staggering 11 blocks during one outing in Belgrade.
Amy Okonkwo - Nigeria
FORWARD
Birth Date: August 26, 1996 (29 years old) Height: 1.88m (6ft 2in)
The forward has taken her game to amazing levels and that is reflected by landing back-to-back TISSOT MVP awards at FIBA Women's AfroBasket. Okonkwo has the strength, skills and smarts to provide a headache for opponents and if Nigeria need a clutch bucket, she is always a go-to option.
Ezinne Kalu - Nigeria
GUARD
Birth Date: June 26, 1992 (35 years old) Height: 1.73m (5ft 8in)
Kalu might be in the twilight of her career, but she will still breathe the fire that Nigeria will be looking for as they tune up ahead of their date in Berlin. A tour de force for her country at Paris 2024, she will direct the traffic in the backcourt and use her experience to make sure her team performs at a high level.
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