Spain's women's basketball team has been placed in Group A of the 2026 World Cup alongside host Germany, Japan and Mali, following the draw held on Tuesday in Berlin. Spain returns to the tournament eight years after its last participation. The event will take place from September 4 to 13 in the German capital.
The draw for the 2026 Women's Basketball World Cup, held on April 21 at Kraftwerk Berlin, placed Spain in Group A with Germany, Japan and Mali. The team coached by Miguel Méndez avoided top favorites like the United States, France and Australia, ranked first, second and third by FIBA. Spain, sixth in that ranking, is the strongest in the group ahead of Germany (11th), Japan (15th) and Mali (18th).
Spain qualified at the Premundial in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with lopsided wins: 99-50 over New Zealand, 84-50 against Senegal and 91-52 versus host Puerto Rico. It returns to the World Cup after missing the 2022 edition in Australia; its last was in 2018, earning bronze at home.
The tournament features 16 teams in four groups. First-place teams advance directly to the quarterfinals; seconds and thirds play a preliminary round. Matches will be at Berlin Arena and Max Schmeling Pavilion. Group D, with the United States (reigning champions), China, Italy and Czech Republic, is seen as the toughest.
Spain, European runners-up, relies on a new generation including Awa Fam, Iyana Martín and Marta Suárez, picked in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
