Ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers, D’Tigress coach Rena Wakama has listed 17 players on the preliminary roster for the reigning Afrobasket champions.
In the preliminary roster, top-rated Nigerian female basketball stars, such as Ezinne Kalu, Elizabeth Balogun, and Amy Okonkwo, lead the list of players selected by award-winning coach Rena Wakama.
Others are Pius Beggi Idubano, Nicole Enabosi, Victoria Macaulay, Grace Efosa, Promise Amukamara, Murjanatu Musa, Pallas Kunayi, Okoro Ifunaya, Wandoo Hembam, Adenike Olawuyi, Sarah Ogoke, Ayomide Tewogbade, Rita Igbokwe, and Blessing Ejiofor.
The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers will take place from March 11th to 18th, 2026. across four centres: Lyon-Villeurbanne (France), Wushan(China), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Istanbul (Turkey).
Also, it would feature 24 nations competing for 16 top spots at the main event, billed for September in Berlin, Germany.
In the draws held Tuesday in Mies, Switzerland, Nigeria is in the Lyon-Villeurbanne group alongside hosts France, Germany, Colombia, South Korea, and the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Nigeria heads into the qualifiers as one of the four continental champions, alongside Australia, Belgium, and the USA.
D’tigress begin their quest for one of the top three tickets in the group, with the opening game against Colombia on March 11th, followed by consecutive matches against South Korea (March 12th), the Philippines (March 14th), France (March 15th), and Germany (March 17th).