Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have officially announced their 12-player squad for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament, confirmed by FIBA on March 5, 2026.
The team posted the roster on official social media platforms, showcasing a mix of experienced and emerging talents.
Key players include Ezinne Kalu, Sarah Ogoke, Amy Okonkwo, and Promise Amukamara, along with Elizabeth Balogun, Nicole Enabosi, Victoria Macaulay, Murjanatu Musa, Pallas Kunayi-Akpanah, Rita Igbokwe, Ifunaya Okoro, and Blessing Ejiofor.
These seven-time African champions will compete in Lyon, France, from March 11–17, 2026, facing Colombia, South Korea, the Philippines, France, and Germany.
The top three teams will progress to the next stage.
Although D’Tigress have already secured automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup in Berlin by winning the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket, this tournament provides a vital opportunity to test strategies and strengthen team chemistry.
FIBA’s first power rankings for the 2026 World Cup placed Nigeria 8th globally, reflecting the team’s strong roster and recent success.
Coach Rena Wakama had initially named a larger provisional squad before trimming it to the final 12.
Standout players like Murjanatu Musa, who has excelled in EuroLeague Women, alongside veterans Kalu and Okonkwo, give Nigeria the potential to challenge top European teams for a top-two finish in their group.
Following the Lyon qualifiers, the team will make history with a preseason exhibition tour in the United States, playing the Minnesota Lynx, marking the first time an African national team will face a WNBA franchise.
Nigeria previously competed in the Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2006 (Brazil) and 2018 (Spain), aiming to leverage past experience as they prepare for Berlin.
