Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has once again proven its mettle on the international stage by retaining the 8th position in the latest FIBA World Rankings. With a solid total of 700.3 points, the African champions remain the only team from the continent ranked within the global top ten, a feat that underscores their consistent performance against elite opposition.
The updated standings were released on March 20, 2026, shortly after the conclusion of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments. Reports indicate that the ranking reflects a busy period for the Nigerian side, which balanced a series of high-stakes qualifiers and international friendlies that tested the team’s depth and resilience.
During their qualifying campaign in Lyon, D’Tigress started on a high note with a commanding 70–37 victory over Colombia. Although they faced a setback in a 77–60 loss to South Korea, the team showed remarkable character by bouncing back to defeat the Philippines with an impressive 101–84 scoreline. Their run also included a hard-fought battle against France, where a spirited second-half comeback narrowly fell short at 93–86, followed by an 81–73 loss to Germany. In a warm-up friendly just before the tournament, they also pushed Turkey to the limit in a tight 77–76 encounter.
On the global leaderboard, the United States continues to hold the top spot, while France has climbed to second place, overtaking Australia. China and Belgium round out the world’s top five teams.
Across the African continent, Mali remains the closest rival to Nigeria’s dominance, sitting at 18th globally as the only other African nation in the top 20. Other notable continental representatives include Senegal in 22nd place, followed by Mozambique at 34th and Cameroon at 37th.
This latest ranking serves as a testament to the staying power of D’Tigress. By maintaining their status among the world’s elite, the team continues to solidify its reputation not just as the undisputed leaders of African basketball, but as a formidable force capable of challenging the very best in the sport.
