The Australian Opals will face World #5 Belgium, alongside Puerto Rico and Türkiye in Group C following Tuesday’s official draw in Berlin.
With the tournament expanding to 16 teams for the first time, the draw has delivered a competitive group from the outset, with Australia and Belgium headlining one of the strongest pools in the field. For the Opals, it presents an immediate benchmark, a group that will require consistency and composure across all three games to secure progression.
Belgium are a familiar opponent with the Opals last facing the Cats in the bronze medal game at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Türkiye shapes as a familiar opponent following recent qualification matchups. Puerto Rico, meanwhile, continues to rise on the international stage and adds further depth to a group with no easy outcomes.
Across the tournament, the strength of the field is evident, with all four groups featuring genuine contenders. Host nation Germany headlines Group A, France leads Group B, while the United States sits atop Group D in another stacked pool.
For Australia, the focus now shifts from the draw to preparation. The Opals will head to Berlin in September 2026 with clear ambitions of a medal finish after taking Bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
