FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying: How to Watch & Japan’s Road to Berlin
The path to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany, is narrowing, and Japan’s national team is poised to navigate a challenging final qualifying tournament in Istanbul, Türkiye. Broadcast coverage of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments will be extensive, with live games available on FOD and Fuji TV NEXT, and select games airing on terrestrial television, beginning .
Japan will compete against a formidable group including Canada (ranked 7th in the world) and host nation Türkiye (ranked 16th), alongside Hungary and Argentina, and Australia. The top three teams from this group, excluding Australia who have already qualified, will secure a coveted spot in the World Cup field.
This qualifying tournament represents a crucial step for the Japanese team, building on the momentum generated under head coach Corey Gaines. Last year marked a significant turning point, laying the groundwork for a potential appearance at the Los Angeles Olympics. The World Cup is viewed as a vital proving ground for this ambitious program.
The team’s roster blends seasoned veterans with emerging talent. Maki Takada (36) and Yuki Miyazawa (32) continue to provide leadership and experience, having been mainstays of the national program for years. However, the infusion of younger players is equally important. Kokoro Tanaka (20) demonstrated her potential with a strong performance at the Asian Cup, finishing among the top five players. Mai Yamamoto (26), recently returning from a stint in the WNBA with Paris Olympics aspirations, adds another dimension to the team’s capabilities.
Yamamoto’s return is particularly noteworthy, bringing valuable experience gained from competing at the highest level of professional basketball in the United States. Her presence alongside the established veterans and rising stars creates a dynamic mix of skill and experience, all unified under the captaincy of Miyazawa. The team is aiming for its 15th appearance in the World Cup, and a fifth consecutive tournament qualification.
The qualifying tournaments, taking place between and , will be hosted across four cities: Wuhan, China; Lyon-Villeurbanne, France; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Istanbul, Türkiye. The draw for these tournaments, completed on , at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland, finalized the competitive landscape.
Beyond Japan’s group, other qualifying pools feature compelling matchups. In Wuhan, China, Mali, South Sudan, Brazil, Belgium, Czechia, and China will battle for qualification. Lyon-Villeurbanne, France, will host Colombia, Philippines, Germany, Korea, France, and Nigeria. San Juan, Puerto Rico, will see competition between New Zealand, Puerto Rico, USA, Senegal, Italy, and Spain.
The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 is gaining momentum, with increased interest in both the sport and women’s athletics in Germany, as highlighted at the SPOBIS 2026 event. The tournament is also driving initiatives like She Calls Game 2026, aimed at empowering more women in sports media.
Germany, as the host nation, has already secured its place in the 16-team World Cup field. Czechia and Hungary earned qualification through the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournaments held in . The remaining teams will emerge from the qualifying tournaments, setting the stage for a highly anticipated competition in Berlin.
The stakes are high as nations vie for a spot in the World Cup and the opportunity to showcase their talent on a global stage. For Japan, the journey through Istanbul represents not only a chance to compete for a World Cup berth but also a crucial step towards building a sustainable program capable of challenging for Olympic success.