Mali’s women’s national basketball team has qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin after a decisive 97–74 victory over South Sudan in a qualifying tournament held in Wuhan, China in March 2026.
Despite finishing the tournament with a 2–3 record, Mali secured qualification on point differential. In the crucial final game against South Sudan, the team delivered a strong performance, led by Alima Dembele with 20 points and Maimouna Haidara with 19. Kamite Elisabeth Dabou also made a significant contribution, recording 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Mali joins Nigeria as Africa’s representatives at the tournament. Nigeria had already secured its place by winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Côte d’Ivoire. Mali, which finished third in that competition, needed to advance through the qualifying stage to book its spot.