The 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup kicks off on Friday in Germany, as 16 countries contend for top honors in this latest tournament.
Who will win it all? Who could push the top contenders? Who might still need a tournament to really learn the ebbs and flows of how FIBA operates? Well, we've ranked all 16 qualifying teams against each other.
You've probably got a good idea of who is at the top of the list, but who could push Team USA this year? The second team might give the USA some fits and could absolutely win this year's tournament.
Let's run through our 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup power rankings and see who registers where this year.
16. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico made it past the group stage in 2022's tournament, but the competition feels stronger
than in that run. However, there are no "bad teams" at FIBA. Puerto Rico will definitely push to advance once again.
15. Mali
Mali finished 11th in the last FIBA World Cup, with a team led by the Atlanta Dream's Sika Koné. We're not sure what to expect from this year's team, but they could surprise.
14. Hungary
Dorka Juhász headlines Hungary, who hasn't competed in the FIBA tournament since 1998. This team may need a tournament to learn the ropes before possibly contending again down the road.
13. Italy
Golden State Valkyries standout Cecilia Zandalasini and Dallas Wings developmental player Costanza Verona stand out on the Italian team, who might not quite have the firepower to go far but should get valuable experience in this year's tournament after not qualifying since 1994.
12. Czech Republic
Eliška Joklová of the Minnesota Lynx headlines a Czech Republic team that should at least stay competitive throughout the tournament, even if they're not frontrunners.
11. South Korea
South Korea has been a meaningful competitor over the last few FIBA tournaments. Los Angeles Sparks standout Jihyun Park should make some waves on the court this month.
10. Japan
Japah finished ninth in the last FIBA tournament, and that's around the range we expect this team to compete in over this year's run. Captain Maki Takada is a strong anchor for the roster, and Las Vegas Aces standout Mai Yamamoto can cause problems.
9. Nigeria
Nigeria played the Indiana Fever, Sparks and Lynx in the preseason, building up some vital reps ahead of FIBA competition. We bet that experience will help tremendously once the tournament starts.
8. Turkey
Kennedy Burke joining Turkey's roster gives us some intrigue; she's a dangerous 3-point shooter who could boost a close game in Turkey's favor. Also watch for WNBA vet Sevgi Uzun to make an impact for a competitive squad.
7. Germany
Host country Germany boasts names like Leonie Fiebich, Luisa Geiselsöder, Nyara Sabally and Frieda Bühner on the roster. Expect the hosts to be a tough out throughout the tournament. Germany could pose as a spoiler.
6. China
China placed second in the 2022 FIBA World Cup, which should position it to be a contender yet again in this year's tournament. While the team may not have the flash like the US, France, Belgium and Spain, their 2022 run should position them as a formidable contender. Watch for Han Xu, who's having a great year with the Liberty.
5. Spain
Spain should be mightily competitive in this year's tournament, boasting W talents like Awa Fam, María Conde, Iyana Martín, Megan DiLeo, Helena Pueyo, Alicia Flórez and Raquel Carrera. Captain Alba Torrens also has extensive experience with the team.
4. Australia
Australia placed third in the last FIBA tournament. You can always count on this team to cause some problems. Alanna Smth, Ezi Magbegor, Jade Melbourne, Stephanie Talbot, Chloe Bibby, Alex Fowler, Isobel Borlase, Miela Sowah and Alex Wilson give Australia a deep roster of WNBA talents who can absolutely push the top teams on our list.
3. Belgium
Emma Meesseman leads a potent Belgium squad featuring Julie Allemand, Julie Vanloo and Kyara Linskens and is led by WNBA coaching great Mike Thibault. Expect Belgium to get far in this year's tournament.
2. France
Gabby Williams, Dominique Malonga, Carla Leite, Janelle Salaün, Leïla Lacan, Marine Johannès, Pauline Astier, Valériane Ayayi and Mamignan Touré give France the most loaded non-US roster in this year's tournament. Don't discount this team's ability to upset the US if the Americans have an off night. This roster is incredibly competitive.
1. USA
The Americans should dominate this year's FIBA World Cup, even if France will give them a run for their money with the talent that it has. They'll need to play at their best to avoid a France upset.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup power rankings: Who could win 2026 tourney?
