D’Tigress unveil final squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have unveiled their final 12-player squad for the 2026 FIFA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

The list was confirmed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on Thursday and later announced on the team’s official social media platforms.

The squad includes experienced players such as Ezinne Kalu, Sarah Ogoke, Amy Okonkwo and Promise Amukamara, alongside Elizabeth Balogun, Nicole Enabosi, Victoria Macaulay, Murjanatu Musa, Pallas Kunayi-Akpannah, Rita Igbokwe, Ifunaya Okoro and Blessing Ejiofor.

The seven-time African champions will compete in the qualifying tournament scheduled for March 11 to 17 in Lyon, France.

Nigeria will face Colombia on March 11 before taking on South Korea on March 12, the Philippines on March 14, France on March 15 and Germany on March 17.

The top three teams from the group will advance to the next stage.

D’Tigress had already secured automatic qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin after winning the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket.

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The Lyon tournament will therefore serve as an opportunity for the team to fine-tune tactics and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the global competition.

Alongside host Germany, Australia, Belgium and the United States have already qualified.

Head coach Rena Wakama had earlier named a larger provisional roster before trimming the squad to the final 12 ahead of the competition.

In the first edition of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 power rankings released on Thursday, Nigeria were placed eighth in the world based on recent performances and the strength of the squad.

Nigeria will be aiming to build on previous appearances at the Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2006 in Brazil and in 2018 in Spain when the 2026 edition takes place in Germany in September.

Following the qualifiers in France, the team is also scheduled to embark on a tour of the United States in April, where they will face Minnesota Lynx in a preseason exhibition.

The fixture will mark the first time an African national team will play a Women’s National Basketball Association franchise as part of preparations for the World Cup.

Full D’Tigress squad

Ezinne Kalu (Guard)

Sarah Ogoke (Guard)

Amy Okonkwo (Forward)

Promise Amukamara (Guard)

Elizabeth Balogun (SG/SF)

Nicole Enabosi (Forward/PF)

Victoria Macaulay (PF/Center)

Murjanatu Musa (Forward)

Pallas Kunayi-Akpanah (Forward)

Rita Igbokwe (Forward)

Ifunaya Okoro (Guard)

Blessing Ejiofor (Center)

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