The time has arrived. The Opals are in Berlin for the FIBA Women’s World Cup.
It’s an exciting milestone amidst a four-year international basketball cycle with the Australian Opals gearing up for the first major tournament for the senior programs since the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Opals will be looking to improve on their bronze medal result in Sydney 2022. They will have to progress through a group of wildcard teams and a familiar rival first.
Let’s dive into the finer details of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup – Germany 2026.
THE TOURNAMENT
The first ever appearance of the Opals at a World summit was 1957 in Brazil. They’ve since attended 16 and stand as the 3rd most medalled program in history, only behind Russia and the USA.
The top three status of the Opals has largely been cemented in recent decades, with a dominant medalling period from 1998 – present.
Over a 24-year period, Australia secured four bronze, one silver and clinched an iconic gold medal win in 2006 in Sao Paulo for the Opals.
There were trailblazing stars at the start of this run, including Belinda Snell, Kristi Harrower, Lauren Jackson, Penny Taylor and Suzy Batkovic.
A new wave emerged with Jenna O’Hea, Leilani Mitchell, Cayla George and Liz Cambage. In recent years, current stars Steph Talbot and Ezi Magbegor have emerged.
If the Opals medal in Berlin, it will be a fourth consecutive tournament on the podium and the 7th trip to the podium in eight attempts.
With that said, nothing is guaranteed, and there is a fortnight of high-intensity basketball ahead.
THE GROUP
First up. Puerto Rico on 4 September (7:30pm AEST). The Las 12 Guerreras will bring a fast-paced, disruptive and aggressive defense, paired with an evolutionary offense.
The last time the teams met was in the group stages of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Puerto Rico pushed the pace in the first half before the Opals switched gears to win 96 – 69.
| AUS (3) v PUR (13) | ||
| Friday, 4 September | 7:30pm AEST | Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin |
Broadcast LIVE on ESPN, Disney+ & Kayo Sports in Australia
Courtside 1891 for International
Next on the schedule is 16th ranked Turkiye on 6 September (7:00pm AEST). The Turkish women nicknamed ‘Potanın Perileri’, enter as a wildcard element to the tournament and have become a regular player on the international circuit since their debut in 2014.
| TUR (16) v AUS (3) | ||
| Sunday, 6 September | 7:30pm AEST | Berlin Arena, Berlin |
Broadcast LIVE on ESPN, Disney+ & Kayo Sports in Australia
Courtside 1891 for International
The final matchup of the group stages will be against a very familiar rival; the 5th ranked Belgian Cats on 7 September (7:30pm AEST).
Australians will likely recall the last time these two teams met… Because it was a big one. The Opals produced an iconic performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics to clinch the bronze medal over Belgium 85 – 81.
That history sets the foundations for a thrilling rematch on Monday.
| BEL (5) v AUS (3) | ||
| Monday, 7 September | 7:30pm AEST | Berlin Arena, Berlin |
Broadcast LIVE on ESPN, Disney+ & Kayo Sports in Australia
Courtside 1891 for International
THE ROSTER
The Final 12 of the Opals had a late change as captain Sami Whitcomb withdrew in precaution of unpredictable knee soreness. The late out opened the way for Miela Sowah.
The inclusion of the Queenslander equates a total of seven athletes that will make their debut at a major tournament in Berlin.
Alongside Sowah, we will witness the major debut of fellow Asia Cup champions Issy Bourne, Alex Fowler, Zitina Aokuso, Steph Reid, Ally Wilson and Chloe Bibby. Despite there being a wave of debutants, it doesn’t really feel like we’re entering the unknown. The incoming faces have been progressing through the system and entrenched throughout the FIBA Asia Cup and qualification period. The seven now get to represent their country on one of the most epic theatres of basketball.
2026 FIBA WWC Australian Roster
GET INVOLVED
The scheduling gods have blessed Australia with three blockbuster matchups at a very palatable tip-off time of 7:30 AEST. Prime time for viewing back home.
There’s multiple ways you can get involved from Down Under.
The event hub is your one stop shop to everything during the FIBA Women’s World Cup.
All the latest news, game information, live blog, competitions and more will run through the hub during our time in Berlin.
BACK THE OPALS
We’re running fan pics from across the world during the Opals campaign on web and socials.
Wherever you are, throw on your green and gold, snap a pic, and post to socials with the hashtag #BackTheOpals.
Let's show them Australia's got their back all the way to Berlin!
GET INVOLVED
The scheduling gods have blessed Australia with three blockbuster matchups at a very palatable tip-off time of 7:30 AEST. Prime time for viewing back home.
There are multiple ways you can get involved from Down Under.
The event hub is your one stop shop to everything during the FIBA Women’s World Cup.
All the latest news, game information, live blog, competitions and more will run through the hub during our time in Berlin.
BACK THE OPALS
We’re running fan pics from across the world during the Opals campaign on web and socials.
Wherever you are, throw on your green and gold, snap a pic, and post to socials with the hashtag #BackTheOpals.
Let's show them Australia's got their back all the way to Berlin!
