2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Kicks Off in Berlin

The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup is set to start on Friday in Berlin, with the United States as one of the leading contenders among the 16 teams competing.

Team USA, under the guidance of Duke University’s women’s basketball coach Kara Lawson, boasts a blend of experienced players like Brenna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, and Chelsea Gray, paired with emerging talents such as Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, and Caitlin Clark.

However, the squad faced some setbacks as two seasoned veterans, four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum, withdrew from the tournament due to health issues. Their spots were filled by Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen.

As they aim for a fourth consecutive FIBA World Cup title, Team USA has a strong track record, having secured nine championships in the last twelve tournaments.

For fans wanting details, here’s an overview of all the teams, groupings, and the complete schedule for the tournament.

Group Information

The tournament features four groups, and teams were assigned based on the FIBA Women’s World Rankings from April of this year. Germany, as the host nation, automatically joined Pot 1, along with the top three ranked teams: the United States, France, and Australia. The next set of four teams went into Pot 2, and this process continued until all teams were placed in their respective groupings, which were then redrawn for scheduling.

Germany, being the host, is placed in Group A.

Group A Teams and Rankings

• Japan: 10
• Spain: 6
• Germany: 11
• Mali: 18

Group B Teams and Rankings

• Hungary: 19
• South Korea: 15
• Nigeria: 8
• France: 2

Group C Teams and Rankings

• Belgium: 5
• Australia: 3
• Puerto Rico: 13
• Türkiye: 16

Group D Teams and Rankings

• United States: 1
• Czechia: 17
• Italy: 14
• China: 4

In the knockout stage of the World Cup, three teams from each group will progress. The top team from each group will receive a bye into the Quarterfinals, while the remaining eight teams will face off in a Qualification round. Here’s how the matchups for the Qualification round will work:

• Group A runner-up vs. Group B third place (winner faces Group C winner in Quarterfinals)
• Group B runner-up vs. Group A third place (winner faces Group D winner in Quarterfinals)
• Group C runner-up vs. Group D third place (winner faces Group A winner in Quarterfinals)
• Group D runner-up vs. Group C third place (winner faces Group B winner in Quarterfinals)

The first two matches are scheduled for September 8, followed by two additional games on September 9. The Quarterfinals are set for September 10.

Here’s the full schedule for the FIBA Women’s World Cup, including viewing options. All times are in Eastern Standard Time:

• Australia vs. Puerto Rico, 5:30 a.m.
• Japan vs. Mali, 5:30 a.m.
• South Korea vs. Nigeria, 6:30 a.m.
• United States vs. China, 8:15 a.m.
• Belgium vs. Türkiye, 11:30 a.m.
• Spain vs. Germany, 11:45 a.m.
• Czechia vs. Italy, 2:15 p.m.
• Hungary vs. France, 3:00 p.m.

• Mali vs. Spain, 5:30 a.m.
• Nigeria vs. Hungary, 8:15 a.m.
• Germany vs. Japan, 12:00 p.m.
• France vs. South Korea, 2:45 p.m.

• Türkiye vs. Australia, 5:30 a.m.
• China vs. Czechia, 8:30 a.m.
• Puerto Rico vs. Belgium, 11:45 a.m.
• Italy vs. United States, 2:45 p.m.

• Puerto Rico vs. Türkiye, 5:30 a.m.
• Belgium vs. Australia, 5:30 a.m.
• Hungary vs. South Korea, 8:30 a.m.
• Nigeria vs. France, 8:30 a.m.
• Japan vs. Spain, 11:50 a.m.
• Germany vs. Mali, 11:50 a.m.
• Italy vs. China, 2:45 p.m.
• United States vs. Czechia, 2:45 p.m.

FIBA Women’s World Cup Standings

Here’s how the standings shape up across the groups. Teams that make it to the knockout round will move on, where performance will determine rankings. For clarity, teams earn two points for a victory, one point for a loss, one for a default loss, and none for a forfeit. The classification within each group starts with total points, followed by various tiebreakers:

• Head-to-head record points
• Point difference among tied teams
• Points for in games among tied teams
• Point difference in all group games
• Points for in all group games

Current standings in Group A:

Current standings in Group B:

Current standings in Group C:

Current standings in Group D: