Senegal, Mali, South Sudan battle for final African slot at 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup

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By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye
 
 

Three African teams, Senegal, Mali and South Sudan women's national basketball teams will battle for the continent’s final ticket to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 as the global qualifying tournaments enter a decisive stage.

The race toward the tournament, which will be hosted in Germany, intensifies from March 11 to 17, 2025, when national teams from across the world compete in qualification tournaments staged in four cities, namely:

• San Juan
• Wuhan
• Istanbul
• Lyon

Africa’s hopes of securing another spot at the global showpiece rest on the performances of the three teams, who will face strong opposition in their respective groups as they chase the continent’s last available berth.

The qualifying tournaments bring together top teams from different continents, with only a limited number of slots available for the 2026 championship. 

For Senegal, Mali and South Sudan, the matches represent a crucial opportunity to secure a place among the world’s elite when the tournament tips off in Germany.

All eyes will now be on the upcoming qualifiers as the African trio attempt to overcome the odds and book their place at the prestigious global event.
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