FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026: Knockout Qualification Previews and a Quarterfinal Look Ahead

Four win-or-go-home games will decide the last four quarterfinal berths at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026. Hungary, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Italy, Australia, Puerto Rico and China all play for their tournament survival on Tuesday, September 8, and Wednesday, September 9.

Knockout qualification round takes shape

The bracket follows a structure confirmed by FIBA and BeBasket: the top-placed team in each of the tournament’s four groups earned a direct bye into the quarterfinals, while the second- and third-placed sides must win one more game to keep their World Cup alive. Fourth-placed teams are already eliminated, a fate that included Nigeria’s D’Tigress, out of the tournament after a 99-81 loss to South Korea in group play.

Tuesday’s slate opens with Hungary facing Japan at 11:45 a.m. ET, followed by Germany against South Korea at 2:45 p.m. ET. Wednesday brings Italy against Australia at 11:45 a.m. ET and Puerto Rico against China at 2:45 p.m. ET.

Hungary vs. Japan

Hungary reached this stage on the back of one of the tournament’s feel-good stories. The Hungarians beat Nigeria 71-67, their first FIBA Women’s World Cup win in 28 years. Dorka Juhász carried that win with a 19-point, 16-rebound double-double, according to Yahoo Sports, a performance FIBA framed as the “Twin Towers” helping Hungary “take first World Cup win in 28 years.” That win sent Hungary into Tuesday’s knockout qualification round against Japan, with Nigeria’s tournament run now over.

Japan lost to Spain 79-59 in the group stage. But the group phase also produced a record-setting night: Saki Hayashi drilled nine 3-pointers, a new individual tournament record, in a 102-97 win over Mali, a game in which Japan made a single-game tournament-record 20 3-pointers as a team, according to a ClutchPoints WNBA social media post and Bleacher Report. Hungary will look to carry the momentum from its historic win over Nigeria into a second straight upset bid, while Japan tries to steady itself after a rocky finish to group play.

Germany vs. South Korea

Germany has played this stage without star forward Satou Sabally, who has stepped away from basketball, according to ESPN. The Germans beat Japan before closing out Group A play with an 83-58 win over Mali, a scoreline that showed a team capable of putting games away once it finds its rhythm.

South Korea arrives after eliminating Nigeria from the tournament with a 99-81 win in group play. Leeseul Kang led that win with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting and five rebounds, according to Bleacher Report.

Italy vs. Australia

Italy reached the knockout qualification round despite falling to the United States 55-52 in group play, a game in which Cecilia Zandalisini scored 14 points and Mariella Santucci added nine for the Italians, according to Yahoo Sports’ box score. Jackie Young defended Italy’s final possession for the Americans while contributing 10 points of her own, per AP News.

Australia beat Puerto Rico 70-54 and Turkey 87-71 in the group phase. Steph Talbot led the win over Puerto Rico with 19 points, going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, according to Yahoo Sports.

Puerto Rico vs. China

China advanced to Wednesday’s game off a 74-70 overtime win over Czechia, punctuated by Han Xu’s 22-point, 14-rebound double-double, according to CGTN.

Han Xu led China in scoring through the group phase, averaging 14.6 points per game, per a social media post from essentiallywnba. Puerto Rico lost 70-54 to Australia in the group stage as it looks to salvage its tournament against China.

Automatic qualifiers set their sights on the semifinals

Spain, France, Belgium and the United States each secured a bye into Thursday’s quarterfinals by winning their respective groups. France, Belgium and the United States finished the group stage a perfect 3-0, while Spain closed at 2-1 to top Group A.

Spain

Spain’s group stage included an 82-73 loss to Mali before the Spaniards bounced back to beat Japan 79-59 and finish atop Group A at 2-1. Spain is led by veteran Alba Torrens, the only player on the roster with previous World Cup experience, according to ESPN.

Spain will face the winner of Italy and Australia in the quarterfinals on Thursday, September 10.

United States

The United States opened the tournament with a 94-61 win over China, a game in which Caitlin Clark posted a double-double in her World Cup debut, scoring 14 points with 11 assists off the bench, according to the New York Post and Yahoo Sports.

The Americans then edged Italy 55-52, with Jackie Young scoring 10 points and defending Italy’s final possession, per AP News, before closing group play with a 105-64 win over Czechia. USA Basketball will face the winner of Hungary and Japan in the quarterfinals on Thursday, September 10.

France

France finished group play 3-0 and set a Women’s Basketball World Cup record with 22 3-pointers in a 111-56 win over Nigeria, according to AP via LocalSYR. Gabby Williams made six of eight attempts from deep in that game and Marine Johannès hit five, per thescore.com.

In a France group-stage win (opponent not specified by the source), Williams posted 17 points, four rebounds and three steals on 7-of-10 shooting, according to an Instagram post. France will face the winner of Puerto Rico and China in the quarterfinals on Thursday, September 10.

Belgium

Belgium also finished 3-0, clinching first place in Group C with an 80-68 win over Australia in which Emma Meesseman scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, according to AP and WUSA9. Belgium will face the winner of Germany and South Korea in the quarterfinals on Thursday, September 10.

The semifinals are set for September 12, with the championship game following on September 13, both in Berlin.