Nigeria’s D’Tigress have been eliminated from the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany after France’s 95-69 win over South Korea sealed their Group B fate. France made it two straight victories, having earlier beaten Hungary.
The result left D’Tigress unable to finish among the teams advancing from the group, regardless of their final fixture against France. Even a large Nigerian victory would not be enough, as the head-to-head rule would count against them if teams finished level on points.
Under the competition format, group winners advance directly to the quarter-finals, while second and third-placed teams go into a single-elimination play-in round. Fourth-placed teams are eliminated. Nigeria’s exit means they will not feature in the play-in round.
The early elimination ends D’Tigress’ hopes of matching or surpassing their 2018 achievement, when they reached the quarter-finals in Tenerife, Spain. Coach Rena Wakama’s side arrived in Germany aiming to build on Nigeria’s growing reputation and continued dominance of African women’s basketball.
D’Tigress have since apologised to Nigerians for their performance and will look to bow out on a positive note against France in their final group match.
