Mali have officially qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, joining fellow African representatives Nigeria for the global showpiece set to take place in Berlin, Germany.
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Mali’s qualification was confirmed on Monday after Belgium defeated the Czech Republic in the final qualifying window.
The result mathematically guaranteed Mali a top-three finish in their group, sealing their place at the tournament.
Nigeria had already secured their ticket earlier after winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, which granted the reigning African champions automatic qualification.
For Mali, the achievement marks the nation’s third appearance at the global competition, having previously featured in the 2010 and 2022 editions of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
The 2026 tournament will be staged in Berlin from September 4 to 13 and will feature 16 teams from across the world, including host nation Germany, continental champions, and top-performing teams from the global qualifying tournaments.
With Nigeria and Mali now confirmed, Africa will have at least two representatives aiming to make an impact on the world stage when the competition tips off later this year.
