France finished top of Group B at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup after crushing African champions Nigeria 111-56 in Berlin, leaving D’Tigress winless in the group phase. The Nigerian side never settled as the French imposed their quality and tempo from the opening tip.
France scored 31 points in the first quarter and 34 in the second to lead 65-26 at half-time, then added 30 in the third before easing off in the final period. Their long-range shooting proved decisive, with Gabby Williams and Marine Johannes combining for eight of eleven from beyond the arc in a first half in which France made 14 three-pointers.
D’Tigress captain Amy Okonkwo acknowledged the gap between the sides. “We just struggled to find our rhythm early and weren’t able to get the win or really stop them,” she said.
Head coach Rena Wakama said the current squad could not lean on the success of the Paris 2024 Olympic team. “A lot of people saw what we did in 2024, and the reality of where we are today is that we’re in a rebuilding process,” she said, pointing to several French players who are WNBA starters in playoff form.
Wakama singled out Grace Efosa, who scored 15 points in around 20 minutes off the bench, and stressed that rebuilding for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics must start with fielding the country’s best available talent. “This is the best time to be a part of women’s basketball specifically,” she added.
