Writing and photographs by Dean Andrews

The Seven Consulting Australian Opals are one of six nations competing in a FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament for a week from Wednesday 11 to Tuesday 17 March local time in host city Istanbul, Türkiye. The Opals are ranked second in the world and play five games at WCQT 2026, against in chronological order, Argentina (ranked 27^th in the world), Japan (11), Hungary (20), host nation Türkiye (16) and Canada (7).    

The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 will be held in Germany from 4 to 13 September 2026. Five nations have already qualified for World Cup 2026, host nation Germany along with four continental cup winners, Australia (Asia), Belgium (Europe), Nigeria (Africa), and USA (America’s). The remaining 11 spots to complete the field of 16 nations for WC 2026 will be determined at four World Cup Qualifying tournaments being held around the world from 11 to 17 March local time in each host city.

During the first two days of competition at FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul three nations had upset losses to an opponent at least nine places lower than them on the FIBA World Rankings – Canada (ranked 7th in the world), Japan (11) and Türkiye (16). For most of their second game of WCQT 2026 against the 11th ranked Japan the number two team in the world, the Australian Opals looked as though they were going to be added to the list of teams that had suffered an upset loss. The Opals were precariously placed trailing Japan by nine points 69-60 with seven minutes and 20 seconds left in the last quarter. Australia put on a long-range shooting exhibition sparked by back-to-back three-pointers by Steph Talbot and dominated the rest of the game 21-2 to record a 10 point win, 81-71. In their opening game of the tournament the Opals defeated Argentina 91-65, but were tested for over a quarter with Australia leading by two points, 33-31 more than four minutes into the second term.

The article below includes the following information:

• Australian Opals 12 player team for FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul
• General information on FIBA WCQT 2026 in Istanbul, including how the six nations competing qualified  
• The Opals results for the first two games at WCQT 2026 and their schedule for their last three games
• A list of the 29 players with WNBL experience that are playing at one of the four WCQT 2026 events
• The Australian Opals performances at their past four FIBA tournaments from World Cup 2022 to Asia Cup 2025

Australian Opals team for the FIBA Women’s WCQT 2026

Number               Player                                    2025/26 team               

22                           Zitina Aokuso                    UC Capitals (WNBL)                                        

55                           Chloe Bibby                       Uni Girona CB (Liga Femenina de Baloncesto)

20                           Isobel Borlase                   Bendigo Spirit (WNBL)                                               

23                           Alex Fowler                       Townsville Fire  (WNBL)                                        

15                           Cayla George                    Southside Flyers (WNBL)                                                  

13                           Ezi Magbegor                    Hive (Unrivalled)

2                             Jade Melbourne              UC Capitals (WNBL)                                                                                                                               

12                           Steph Reid                        Gorzow (Polish Basket Liga) / Guangdong Vermillion Birds (China) 

11                           Alanna Smith                    Mist (Unrivalled)

6                             Steph Talbot                      Adelaide Lightning (WNBL)                                                                                   

32                           Sami Whitcomb                Beşiktaş (Turkish Super League) 

44                           Ally Wilson                          Perth Lynx (WNBL)                                                                                                 

Coaches

Sandy Brondello               Head Coach

Paul Goriss                         Assistant Coach

Ranae Garlepp                  Accompanying Coach

Kennedy Kereama            Accompanying Coach

Basketball Australia announced an extended 19 player Australian Opals squad on 20 December 2025 in the lead up to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup – Qualifying Tournament 2026 to be held in March. Australian Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello commented “Availability is hugely important and honestly, a luxury we don’t often have in the international space. Having full access to the talent pool gives us real clarity and confidence. It allows the staff and I to evaluate the group together, accelerate connection and trust, test roles and versatility, and ultimately strengthen the foundation we’re building toward the FIBA Women’s World Cup.”1

Seven members of the Opals bronze medal winning team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be suiting up for their nation in Istanbul – Isobel Borlase, Cayla George, Ezi Magbegor, Jade Melbourne, Alanna Smith, Steph Talbot and Sami Whitcomb. The last six players listed all averaged more than 17.0 minutes per game in Paris to rank in the Opals top seven in this category along with then Opals captain Tess Madgen. After averaging 6.8 minutes per game for Australia in Paris Borlase took her game to another stratosphere playing for Bendigo Spirit during the 2025/26 WNBL season. 21 year old Borlase won the WNBL’s Suzy Batkovic Medal and led the league with 22.8 points per game, the highest scoring average in the WNBL since the 2020 hub season in North Queensland.

Steph Reid making a lay up for Townsville Fire against Bendigo Spirit at Geelong Arena on 7 January 2024

For FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 held in Shenzhen, China from 13 to 20 July five members of the The Seven Consulting Australian Opals bronze medal winning team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games were unavailable due to commitments in the United State of America with their Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) club. The players in this category were Magbegor, Melbourne, Smith, Talbot and Whitcomb. This enabled other players to be given greater responsibility representing Australia at a FIBA tournament. A new look Australian outfit played brilliant team basketball and at their fifth attempt in 2025 broke through to win the gold medal at FIBA Women’s Asia Cup for the first time. Two players that haven’t represented Australia at a major championship, guard Steph Reid and forward Alex Fowler excelled at FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 to earn selection in the tournament All-Star Five. Just months after making her Opals debut Fowler thrived as an Opals starter in Shenzen and after scoring 11 points in each of Australia’s first four games of the tournament lifted her output higher to score 15 points in the 88-79 victory in the final against Japan. Fowler’s wide-ranging skill set was on fully display at Asia Cup 2025 to have a field goal accuracy of 60.0%, average a team-high 11.8 points per game, made 1.4 steals (ranked equal first), 7.2 rebounds (2^nd) 3.8 assists and 25.2 minutes(1^st) per game to win the Tournament’s MVP award. Point guard Reid averaged 11.2 points, a tournament-high 7.2 assists and 2.0 three-pointers per game to join Fowler in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 Tournament All-Star Five.

Alex Fowler playing for Townsville Fire against Bendigo Spirit at Red Energy Arena on 14 December 2024

In the lead up to FIBA WCQT 2026 in Istanbul Opals Head Coach Brondello commented to ESPN on Fowler “Alex does all the little things so well and that’s what makes her stand out. She doesn’t need the ball or plays run for her but she finds ways to win with her relentlessness on offensive rebounding, exploiting switches, she’s still got size, finishes well and can shoot the three. I think she’s got so much versatility to her, I’m excited for her. We play a little more positionless here with our running game; she’s not a post, she’s a basketball player and she will get more comfortable maybe playing in some screens than what she’s done in the WNBL and giving screens too.”2

Five players that didn’t represent Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and were members of the Opals gold medal winning team for Asia Cup 2025 were selected for WCQT 2026 – Zitina Aokuso, Chloe Bibby, Alex Fowler, Steph Reid and Ally Wilson. Borlase and George are the only two players that were members of the Opals team for both the 2024 Olympic Games and 2025 Asia Cup. Six of the seven members of the Opals gold medal winning team from 2025 Asia Cup that have been selected for WCQT 2026 played at least four games and averaged at least 13.0 minutes per game at AC 2025. Ally Wilson was the exception, missing the Opals first three games of the tournament and only playing her nation’s last two games of the tournament. You frequently here the saying it mightn’t be your match but it might be your moment. FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 wasn’t Wilson’s tournament but instead of having a single moment she dominated the fourth quarter of the final between Australia and Japan. In an incredible fourth quarter Wilson scored 13 points, to enable the Opals to outscore Japan 21-20 for the term to hold on and win the final 88-79 to win their first Women’s Asia Cup gold medal in the traditional five on five format of basketball.

Ally Wilson during the warm-up for a Perth Lynx road game against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 22 December 2024

With players that missed Asia Cup 2025 due to WNBA commitments available for WCQT 2026 difficult decisions needed to be made to reduce the squad of 19 players named in the extended Australian Opals squad on 20 December to the final 12 player team for WCQT 2026. Arguably the unluckiest to miss out on selection for WCQT 2026 were Sara Blicavs and Courtney Woods with this duo both averaging more than 21.0 minutes per game at Asia Cup 2025 to rank in the Opals top four in this category.  

At FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 to be held in Germany from 4 to 13 September the The Seven Consulting Australian Opals are attempting to finish on the podium at a third consecutive major championship, having won the bronze medal at both the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 on home soil in Sydney and at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. In the past four years the Opals also finished on the podium at both five on five Women’s Asia Cups, winning the bronze medal at home in Sydney in 2023 and won the gold medal at the 2025 tournament in China. The WNBA regular season is in progress when the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup is held which means that Australia’s WNBA players are not available for the Asia Cup. Due to this there is usually a considerable different between the Opals teams at major championships and Asia Cups. Across the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and Asia Cup 2025 in China 22 players represented the Opals. The only two constants in these two teams were guard Isobel Borlase and forward/centre Cayla George.

Three of the members of the Opals bronze medal winning team at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games weren’t available for WCQT 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye. Madgen and Jackson both retired after the Paris 2024 Olympics. Tolo is pregnant with her first child, and her last game of the 2025/26 season was the 250^th game of her WNBL career, a milestone she share with Bendigo Spirit teammate Kelsey Griffing. A duo from the Opals 2024 Olympic games team were overlooked for WCQT 2026, Amy Atwell and Kristy Wallace. Atwell was part of the Opals extended 19 player squad but was cut from the final team of 12 players. Wallace has been selected in the Australian Gangurrus women’s team that are competing at the FIBA 3×3 Champions Cup from 13-15 March in Bangkok, Thailand.     

Five members of the Australian Opals 12 player team for WCQT 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye have represented their nation at multiple five on five basketball major championships – Cayla George (6 major championships), Steph Talbot (5), Ezi Magbegor (4), Alanna Smith (3) and Sami Whitcomb (3). George has the distinction of being the only player to represent the Australian Opals at each of the past six major championships from the 2014 World Cup to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Steph Talbot made her major championship debut at the 2016 Olympic Games and has represented Australia at five consecutive major championships. Magbegor, Smith and Whitcomb all made their major championship debut as members of the Opals silver medal winning team at the 2018 World Cup in Spain. From 2018 to 2024 Magbegor represented Australia at four consecutive major championships. In the same period Smith and Whitcomb each played three of the four major championships for Australia and were overlooked for one tournament. Whitcomb missed out on selection for the 2020 Olympic Games and Smith was overlooked for the 2022 World cup in Sydney. Four players from the Opals bronze medal winning team from World Cup 2022 in Sydney are in Australia’s WCQT 2026 team – George, Magbegor, Talbot and Whitcomb. Borlase and Melbourne both made their senior major championship debut at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.  

Just months after making her Opals debut Fowler thrived as an Opals starter in Shenzen and after scoring 11 points in each of Australia’s first four games of the tournament lifted her output higher to score 15 points in the 88-79 victory in the final against Japan. Fowler’s wide-ranging skill set was on fully display at Asia Cup 2025 to have a field goal accuracy of 60.0%, average a team-high 11.8 points per game, made 1.4 steals (ranked equal first), 7.2 rebounds (2^nd) 3.8 assists and 25.2 minutes (1^st) per game to win the Tournament’s MVP award. Point guard Reid averaged 11.2 points, a tournament-high 7.2 assists and 2.0 three-pointers per game to join Fowler in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 Tournament All-Star Five.

Seven players in the Opals WCQT 2026 team played in the WNBL during 2025/26, Aokuso and Melbourne for the UC Capitals, Borlase for Bendigo, Fowler for Townsville, George for Southside, Talbot for Adelaide and Wilson for Perth. After averaging 6.8 minutes per game for Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Borlase took her game to another stratosphere playing for Bendigo Spirit during the 2025/26 WNBL season. 21 year old Borlase won the WNBL’s Suzy Batkovic Medal and led the league with 22.8 points per game, the highest scoring average in the WNBL since the 2020 hub season in North Queensland. In her second game of the 2025/26 WNBL season for Perth Lynx Wilson reached the milestone of 250 WNBL games in a road game against Bendigo Spirit to earn WNBL life membership. Wilson thrived in Perth’s pace and space system to rank second in the league with 2.33 three-pointers made per game and fourth with 5.0 assists per game to earn selection in the All-WNBL First team for the second consecutive season. Wilson was one of three players that ranked in the WNBL’s top for assists per game in 25/26 that are members of the Opals WCQT 2026 team along with Melbourne (3rd-5.9 assists per game) and Talbot (5th-4.5).

In her first season with the Southside Melbourne Flyers George ranked second in the league with 10.9 rebounds per game and was selected in the All-WNBL Second Team. Throughout the 25/26 season George moved up on the All-Time WNBL top 10 list in several statistical categories, including overtaking Jessica Bibby (394 games) in game one of Southside’s semi final against Townsville to move up to second place on the league’s games played list. At the end of the season George had increased her games tally to 397 and ranked in the league’s All-Time top 10 for total rebounds (1st), games played (2nd), points (3rd), blocked shots (3rd), three-pointers made (5th), assists (6th) and steals (10th). George is the only player to rank in WNBL’s All-Time top 10 in all seven of these categories. Forward / centre George’s versatility and passing ability is highlighted by the fact that no other player ranks in the league’s All-Time top 10 for both rebounds and assists. Four members of the Opals WCQT 2026 team have won the Suzy Batkovic Medal for being the league’s WNBL regular season MVP, Talbot in 2020 for Adelaide Lightning, George for the Melbourne Boomers in 2022/23 and a Bendigo Spirit guard in each of the past two seasons, Whitcomb in 24/25 followed by Borlase in 25/26.

Cayla George playing for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 9 November 2022

Three members of the Opals WCQT 2026 team have played in Europe in 2025/26, Whitcomb, Bibby and Reid. Whitcomb has been playing in the nation that is hosting the WCQT the Opals are playing in, Türkiye, representing Beşiktaş in the Turkish Super League. Bibby is playing for Uni Girona CB in Liga Femenina de Baloncesto and has extensive experience playing in Europe. Bibby has won two league MVP awards playing in Europe, firstly the Polish Orlean Basket League for Women’s 2023/24 MVP Award playing for InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow. In 2024/25 Bibby won MVP of the Spanish Liga Femenina Endesa playing for Spar Girona, a club she has suited up for again in 2025/26. Point guard Reid commenced the 2025/26 season playing in Europe for Gorzow in Polish Basket Liga, later in 25/26 Reid joined the Guangdong Vermillion Birds in China.

Ezi Magbegor playing defense for Melbourne Boomers against Southside Flyers forward and former Australian Opals captain Jenna O’Hea at the State Basketball Centre on 4 November 2019

Two of the Opals front court starters Magbegor and Smith played in the 10 week long Unrivalled 3×3 league in the USA. Magbegor played for Hive and Smith was a member of the Mist team that won the Unrivalled 2026 Championship, defeating Phantom BC 80-74 in the final on 4 March in Miami. In 2025 Minnesota Lynx forward Smith was named the WNBA’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year along with A’ja Wilson. Smith has been named in a WNBA All-Defensive team in each of the past two years, being name on the Second Team in 2024 and the First Team in 2025. Playing for Seattle Storm Magbegor has been named in WNBA All-Defensive Team in four consecutive seasons, being named in the First Team in 2024 and the Second Team in 2022, 2023 and 2025.

Alanna Smith playing defense against fellow Opal Ezi Magbegor in Adelaide Lightning’s game against Melbourne Boomers at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on 24 March 2022

Venue and teams at FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul, Türkiye

Nations                                World Ranking

Australia                                              2

Canada                                                 7    

Japan                                                  11

Türkiye                                               16

Hungary                                             20

Argentina                                            27

The Opals and Japan have regularly played against each other in their region’s continental cup, the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup since Australia started competing at the tournament from 2017 onwards.  In their first ever game against each other at a FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Australia defeated Japan 83-74 at the group stage of FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2017 held in Bengaluru, India. Later in the tournament Japan turned the tables to win a thrilling final against Australia 74-73 resulting in Japan winning the gold medal and Australia claiming the silver medal.

With their speed and three-point shooting Japan has posed match-up problems for Australia in recent years. In each of Australia’s first four Asia Cups in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023 the Opals suffered at least one loss to Japan. Australia were finally able to overcome this hoodoo at FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzen, China to defeat Japan twice at the tournament, 79-67 in a group game and 88-79 in the final to win their first ever Asia Cup gold medal in the traditional five on five format of basketball at their fifth attempt. More detail on the games between Australia and Japan at Asia Cup 2025 are provided later in this article.

By winning FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Australia qualified for FIBA WCQT 2026 and booked their ticket to World Cup 2026 in Germany by being a continental cup winner. Seven players from the Opals gold medal winning team at AC 2025 are playing at WCQT 2026 – Zitina Aokuso, Chloe Bibby, Isobel Borlase, Alex Fowler, Cayla George, Steph Reid and Ally Wilson. Five members of the Opals bronze medal winning team at the Paris Olympics and were unavailable for Asia Cup 2025 return to the team for WCQT. The quintet in this category is Ezi Magbegor, Jade Melbourne, Alanna Smith, Steph Talbot and Sami Whitcomb.

Zitina Aokuso shooting a free throw for Townsville Fire against Melbourne Boomers at State Sports Centres – Parkville on 10 January 2024

Japan have great continuity with their national team from FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 to the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament 2026 with their top eight ranked players for minutes played from AC 2025 suiting up for their nation in Istanbul. Japan qualified for WCQT by winning the silver medal at Asia Cup 2025. All five Japan starters from their two games against Australia at AC 2025, the group game and the final are representing Japan at WCQT 2026 – Norika Konno, Stephanie Mawuli, Maki Takada, Ramu Tokashiki and Kokoro Tanaka. The trio of players that played off the bench as members of Japan’s silver medal winning team at Asia Cup 2025 and are in the WCQT in Shenzen are Minami Yabu, Yuki Miyazawa and Nanako Todo. All eight players that averaged more than 12.0 minutes per game for Japan at Asia Cup 2025 are in the team for WCQT 2026.  

At the past two major championships, the 2022 World Cup in Sydney and 2024 Paris Olympic Games Australia have played Canada three times. On all three occasions the Opals have been victorious. At both tournaments Australia had narrow wins at the group stage, having a 75-72 victory at World Cup 2022 and a 70-65 win in Paris. In the third place game at World Cup 2022 Australia recorded a convincing 93-65 victory led by 30 points from Lauren Jackson to win the bronze medal.

Canada won the bronze medal at FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2025 held in Chile from 28 June to 6 July to qualify for WCQT 2026. At the tournament Canada had five wins and two losses. Four of the six players that averaged more than 18.5 minutes at FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2025 are representing Canada at WCQT – Kayla Alexander, Sami Hill, Yvonne Ejim, Shay Colley. Alexander is one of three Canadians with WNBL experience in their WCQT 2026 team. A duo with WNBL experience that didn’t play at AmeriCup 2025 return to the Canadian team for in Istanbul, 2019/20 WNBL Suzy Batkovic Medal winner Kia Nurse and Bridget Carleton. Nurse played in back-to-back WNBL championships with the UC Capitals in 2018/19 and 2019/20. For the past two WNBA seasons Carleton and Australian forward Alanna Smith have been teammates in the starting five for WNBA club Minnesota Lynx. 

Argentina booked their ticket for WCQT 2026 by finishing fourth at FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2025. In a quarter final at the tournament Argentina played Puerto Rico with a spot in the semi finals and with it a ticket for WCQT 2026 on the line. The top six nations at the tournament qualified for WCQT 2026 so the nation that lost was still alive. Argentina won a low-scoring battle 53-51 with point guard Melissa Gretter delivering a match winning performance with a team-high 15 points, seven rebounds and a game-high seven assists. Argentina and Canada played a thrilling semi final at the tournament with Canada prevailing by a solitary point, 76-75 to win the bronze medal. Gretter played all seven games for Argentina at FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2025 and averaged 28.3 minutes, 10.0 points and 5.1 assists per game to lead her nation in all three categories. The five Argentinian players that averaged more than 20.0 minutes per game at AmeriCup 2025 are playing at WCQT 2026 with Gretter being joined in this category by Macarena D’urso, Agostina Burani, Florencia Chagas and Diana Cabera.

The top seven nations at EuroBasket 2025 qualified for WCQT 2026. Türkiye narrowly lost a quarter final to Italy 74-76 but then had two mor chances to qualify, playing classification games for the 5-8 bracket. In the first classification game Türkiye were outplayed by Germany and lost 73-93. Türkiye had a final opportunity to book a ticket for WCQT 2026 in the classification game for seventh place against Lithuania. At three quarter time Türkiye trailed Lithuania in a shootout by a solitary point 73-74. Türkiye dominated the final quarter 26-13 to have a 99-87 victory to book their ticket to WCQT 2026. Two starters for Türkiye scored 22 points and had an efficiency rating of 29 Sevgi Uzun and Teaira McCowan. With proficient shooting Uzun made eight of 12 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 66.77% and McCowan made nine of 12 FG at 75%. ). McCowan took a game-high nine rebounds and Uzun made a team-high seven assists. Four of the six players that averaged more than 23.0 minutes per game at EuroBasket 2025 will represent their nation on home soil at Istanbul during WCQT 2026 – Sevgi Uzun, Alperi Onar, Olcay Cakir and Elif Bayram. At EuroBasket 2025 Onar led Türkiye with 4.5 assists, narrowly ahead of Cakir (4.3) and Uzun (4.2). McCowan averaged 16.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game to lead Hungary in both categories at EuroBasket 2025 but is not playing at WCQT 2026.  

Hungary competed at Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournament held in Rwanda from 18 to 25 August 2024. Only the winner of the tournament booked a ticket to a World Cup Qualifying Tournament 2026. Hungary suffered an immediate set back when they had a 61-63 loss to Senegal in their opening game of the tournament. Hungary won their next three games of the tournament to advance to the final and a rematch against Senegal. Centre, Virag Takacs-Kiss shot proficiently to make six of eight field goal attempts at an accuracy of 75% and made five of six free throws at an accuracy of 83.3% to score a team-high 17 points off the bench in Hungary’s 63-49 victory against Senegal in the final. Four of the six players that averaged more than 20.0 minutes per game at the Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournament are representing Hungary at WCQT 2026 – Reka Lelik, Debora Dubei, Agnes Torok and Virag Takacs-Kiss. In Rwanda Takacs-Kiss averaged 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game to lead Hungary in both categories. Lelik led Hungary for both minutes (27.0) and assists per game (5.4).

The venue for FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul, Türkiye is the Turkcell Basketball Development Centre. The venue page on the FIBA website for WCQT 2026 in Istanbul states that the Turkcell Basketball Development Centre “spans 68,800 square meters. In addition to a main hall with a capacity of 10,000 people, the facility also features a second hall with a capacity of 1,000 people and three youth facilities with a capacity of 500 people. The facility also has a parking garage with capacity for 417 cars and 25 buses, a hotel for players, and a fitness center. The facility also houses a basketball sports high school.”4 Several members of the Opals 2026 WCQT team for Istanbul have played club basketball in Türkiye including guard Sami Whitcomb who is playing for Beşiktaş during the current 2025/26 Turkish Super League season.

An article on the FIBA Website for WCQT 2026 titled ‘Preview: Who’s ready to roar in Istanbul?’ states “Argentina, Türkiye and Hungary are playing at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament for the first time.”3 Argentina (ranked 27^th in the world), Hungary (20) and Türkiye (16) are ranked lower and don’t have the major championship experience of Australia (2), Canada (7) and Japan (11) so will be underdogs to progress to World Cup 2026.

The first two days of WCQT 2026 in Istanbul did not go to script and three of the four games on the first two days that did not involve Australia was won by the lower ranked team for the game. In each of these upset victories the lower ranked team was at least nine places lower on the world rankings than the team they defeated. On day 1 there were two upsets with Türkiye (ranked 16^th in the world) defeating Canada (7) 71-69 and Hungary (20) defeating Japan (11) 77-65. Türkiye led for more than 37 minutes of their game against Canada and despite relinquishing the lead in the final two minutes, responded by scoring the last two field goals of the game through Elif Bayram and Olcay Cakir to win by two points. Dorka Juhasz was phenomenal for Hungary in their victory against Japan, making 15 of 22 field goals attempts at an accuracy of 68.2%, scored a game-high 35 points and took a game-high nine rebounds to help Hungary win the rebound count 45-28.  

On day 2 the higher ranked Canada team (7) had a convincing victory against Hungary (20) 75-53. Canada had the superior field goal accuracy, 52% to Hungary’s 31% and committed six less turnovers (13-19). Juhasz (13 points) again led Hungary in scoring but was only joined by one teammate in double figures fellow starter Debora Dubei (11 points). Shaina Pellington led Canada with 16 points at 66.7% from the field off the bench and one of six Canadian players to score at least seven points. Three former WNBL imports were in this category, starting trio Bridget Carleton (12 points), Kayla Alexander (9) and Kia Nurse (7). At FIBA WCQT 2026 in Istanbul Carleton is averaging 31.8 points and 18.0 minutes per game to lead Canada in both categories. The third upset of the tournament occurred in the final game of day 2 with Argentina (27) defeating host nation (16) 59-55. Türkiye led for most of the game and were in a commanding position, leading 52-44 with six minutes and 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter. A late surge and 15-3 run to finish the game resulted in Argentina recording a fightback four point victory after hitting the lead for the first time of the game with only 10 seconds left after Julieta Mungo  made two free throws to break a 55 all tie. Melissa Gretter was the match winner for Argentina, scoring a game-high 16 points from the field at 50%, took a team-high nine rebounds and made a game-high six assists.

With the six nations at WCQT 2026 in Istanbul having played two of their five matches at tournament it looks like the battle for two tickets to World Cup 2026 in Berlin could go down to the last day. Australia who have automatically qualified for WC2026 are the only nation to win both of their first two games. Canada, Türkiye and Argentina have each won one of their two games. Japan have lost their first two games but are still alive. If they can replicate the standard they played out for the first three quarters against the Opals they would be well placed to win their last three games. It is likely that at the end of the tournament points difference will be required to determine at least one of the berths from WCQT 2026 to the World Cup in Berlin. The points position after each team’s first two games is Australia +36, Canada +20, Türkiye -2, Hungary -10, Argentina -22 and  Japan -22.

The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 will be held in Germany from 4 to 13 September 2026. Five of the 16 spots at the World Cup have already been booked. Another 11 tickets will be booked at four FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments being held from 11 to 17 March local time for the host city of each tournament.

An article ‘FIBA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WORLD CUP 2026 How to Qualify’ published on the FIBA website states “There will be 4 tournaments of 6 teams, where 16 teams will qualify for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026. The host (Germany) and the winners of each Women’s Continental Cup 2025 (Australia, Belgium, Nigeria, and USA) will participate in these Qualifying Tournaments; however, they receive automatic qualification for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026.

The top three teams from each Qualifying Tournament will qualify for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, along with a Continental Cup winner. In the tournament with the host nation, Germany, the top two teams will qualify alongside Germany and a Continental Cup winner.”5

Below is a link to this article:

https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026/how-to-qualify

Below is a list of the host city and nation along with the six nations competing at each of the four  FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments that will be held from 11 to 17 March, local time for each host city.

San Juan, Puerto Rico: New Zealand, Puerto Rico, USA, Senegal, Italy and Spain

Wuhan, China: Mali, South Sudan, Brazil, Belgium, Czechia, China

Lyon-Villeurbanne, France: Columbia, Philippines, Germany, Korea, France, Nigeria

Istanbul, Türkiye: Australia, Canada, Japan, Türkiye, Hungary, Argentina

The five nations in bold above have already booked their ticket to FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 in Germany.

Players competing at a FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament 2026 from 11 to 17 March  that have experience playing in the WNBL (29 players):

Australia (12): Zitina Aokuso, Chloe Bibby, Isobel Borlase, Alex Fowler, Cayla George, Ezi Magbegor, Jade Melboune, Steph Reid, Alanna Smith, Steph Talbot, Sami Whitcomb, Ally Wilson

Belgium (1): Julie Vanloo

Canada (3): Kayla Alexander, Bridget Carleton, Kia Nurse

China (1): Han Xu

New Zealand (8): Tegan Graham, Jade Kirisome, Rebecca Pizzey, Sharne Robati, Emme Shearer, Ashlee Strawbridge, Ella Tofaeono, Charlotte Whittaker

Puerto-Rico (1): Imani McGee-Stafford

USA (3):  Monique Billings, Rae Burrell, Jackie Young

29 players with WNBL experience are competing at a FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament 2026 from 11 to 17 March. This includes five players that have won the Suzy Batkovic Medal for being the regular season MVP –  Australian quartet Isobel Borlase, Cayla George, Steph Talbot, Sami Whitcomb along with Canadian Kia Nurse. In 2018/19 Nurse averaged 18.4 points (ranked 4th in the WNBL) per game, led the league with 3.1 three-pointers made per game and finished equal seventh in the WNBL’s MVP award. Nurse was selected in the All-WNBL First Team and won the Suzy Batokovic medal for being the WNBL’s MVP in 2019/20, led the league with 20.9 points and 2.8 three-pointers made per game and averaged 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 3.6 free throws made (ranked 2nd in the WNBL) and 37.1 minutes (1st) per game.

Kia Nurse playing for the Canberra Capitals against Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 9 November 2019

Chinese centre Han Xu won the WNBL’s Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Award playing for Perth Lynx in 2025/26. Xu led the league with 2.2 blocked shots per game, 16.2 points (ranked 7th in the WNBL) and 7.3 rebounds per game and was selected in the All-WNBL Second Team after playing her first game for Perth a third of the way through the regular season. Perth have had success recruiting high-profile imports, five seasons earlier American guard Jackie Young playing for the Lynx ranked third in the league with 17.58 points per game in 2021/22 and was selected in the All-WNBL First Team.

Jackie Young playing for the Perth Lynx against the Melbourne Boomers at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (GRISS), Traralgon on 6 February 2022

Australian Opals results for their first two games at WCQT 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye

Wednesday, March 11    Argentina 65 lost to Australia 91

Thursday, March 12         Australia 91  defeated Japan 81

Sami Whitcomb was announced as the The Seven Consulting Australian Opals captain in Istanbul, Türkiye. Whitcomb addressed the Opals players and staff and in a post made on the Seven Consulting Opals Instagram account commented “We all said it the other day, it is so special to be an Opal at any stage but I think right now we are so lucky to be Opals with where we are at as a group with how much work has been done. I would be remiss to not shout out Tess Madgen for that. Obviously it is everybody in this room, people have been a part of it for a long time but I know in particular I learned so much from her and so much of what she has poured into where we are now, in terms of legacy top the Opals and legacy of Opals leadership we are so privileged to be a part of this group now in that stage where we have all experienced her leadership or we are getting to experience it now. That is her legacy, this beautiful culture that she has created.”

Sami Whitcomb playing for Bendigo Spirit against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 22 December 2024

In an article titled ‘More pace and space: Brondello’s goals for Opals’ World Cup Qualifiers’ published BY ESPN on 10 March 2026 and written by Megan Hustwaite Brondello told ESPN “We’ve got to make the most of the time we have, five games and it’s an opportunity for us to find our chemistry, be reunited and get back playing Opals basketball. We know we have limited time together, it’s normal for us and it is what it is. We’ve got different opponents and that’s the beauty of this tournament. It’s not Asia Cup, we’ve got one Asian team and every country has a different style so it’s about us needing to adapt against different styles but also bringing our own identity. It’s getting everyone up to speed again and seeing what we need to work on as we move forward towards the World Cup. The luxury is that we have qualified but we still want to win, work out what combinations work well together and what areas we need to focus on a little bit more over the coming months.”6

The Seven Consulting Australian Opals commenced their FIBA WCQT 2026 against Argentina in the opening game of Day 1, Wednesday, March 11. Australia’s starting line-up included a quartet from their bronze medal winning team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – Whitcomb, Talbot, Magbegor and Smith. A new addition to the Opals starting line-up was guard Ally Wilson who made her Opals debut less than 12 months ago and was a member of Australia’s gold medal winning team at Asia Cup 2025. All seven players that commenced the Opals game on the bench against Argentia played court time and had represented their nation at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and / or Asia Cup 2025. Borlase and George are the only two players that represented the Opals at both tournaments and were joined by fellow Paris 2024 Olympian Melbourne on the bench. AC 2025 Opals team members Aoksuo, Bibby, Fowler and Reid commenced the game against Argentina on the bench.  

In the opening game of FIBA in Istanbul, Türkiye the highest ranked at the tournament, the world number 2 Australian Opals played the lowest ranked at WCQT in Istanbul, the 27^th ranked nation in the world. On paper it looked to be a lopsided contest, the Argentinian team had a very different idea, and after Diana Cabera made a floating jump shot with four minutes and 17 seconds left in the first quarter they led the more fancied Opals 12-10. The Opals were able to regain the lead but with six minutes and 19 seconds remaining in the second term one field goal separated the two teams, with Australia leading Argentina 33-31. For the rest of the first half the Opals dominated to go on a 18-5 run to lead by 13 points 49-36 at half time. The Opals weren’t threatened in the second half and recording a convincing 26 point win, 91-65. All 12 Opals scored at least three points led by Borlase who made three of five three-pointers at an accuracy of 60% and scored 19 points at 75% from the field in 16 minutes and 57 seconds, equating to more than a point per minute played. Magbegor shot efficiently to make five of six field shots at an accuracy of 83.3% from both the field and the free throw line to score 16 points with one FG being a three-pointer. Magbegor took an equal team-high seven rebounds, made three steals, two assists, blocked one shot and didn’t commit any turnovers. and was named the TCL Player of the Game. Off the bench Melbourne was efficient to make both three-point attempts, score 12 points at 66.7% from the field and make three assists. Smith had a quieter game from a scoring perspective with four points bud made an impact in other facets to take an equal game-high seven rebounds and made a team-high five assists.

For the second game against Japan on 12 March the Opals made one change to their starting line-up with Melbourne moved into the starting line-up and Wilson starting the game on the bench. With two and a half minutes left in the first quarter the ties were locked at 18 points apiece. In the last minute and 50 seconds of the opening stanza the Opals gained the ascendancy with a 7-0 run comprised of Aokuso making a field goal after taking an offensive rebound, Whitcomb making a three-pointer and Fowler making a layup. Japan flipped the script at the start of the second term to have an 20-3 run to build a 10 point lead 38-28 with minutes and 50 seconds left in the opening half. hit the lead by a point with eight minutes and 51 seconds left in the second quarter.  It was fairly even for more than a quarter and a half and Japan looked to be in a strong position leading by nine points 69-60 with seven minutes and 20 seconds left in the last quarter. Japan’s lead had been reduced to six points half-way through the last quarter and there was a big momentum shift with Talbot making corner threes on back-to-back possessions to level the scores on 70 points apiece with four minutes and 15 seconds to play. The next two field goals of the game were also Opals three-pointers for Smith and Melbourne and suddenly Australia had a five point lead 76-71 with two minutes and 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. In the final two minutes Magbegor scored the last five points of the game with a lay up and a three-pointer as the Opals secured a 10 point victory 81-71. Amazingly the Opals outscored Japan by 19 points in the last quarter, 23-4. The Opals dominated the boards to win the rebound count 51-27 and blocked eight shots compared to Japan’s one.

Opals captain Whitcomb was named the TCL Player of the Game, making six of 10 field goal attempts at 60%, four of seven three-pointers at 57.1%, scored an equal game-high 17 points, took five rebounds and made a team-high two steals. Front court duo Magbegor and Smith scored 14 points and 12 points respectively and each shot at 50% from the field.  Smith took a game-high nine rebounds and Talbot ranked second in this category with eight boards. Off the bench Wilson made a team-high seven assists. Three players for Japan scored at least 16 points, starting duo Kokoro Tanaka (17 points) and Aika Hirashita (16) along with Mai Yamamoto with 16 points off the bench. Point guard Machida took a team-high six rebounds and made a game-high 10 assists.

After the Opals 10 point victory against Japan Whitcomb commented “We really liked the grit that we showed in that second half, in particular that fourth quarter. Japan’s a great team and they made a really great run after I thought we started the game pretty well. Things weren’t going our way. We’d make a run and then they’d hit a couple of tough threes, but I thought we did a great job of hanging in there and fighting defensively. Talbs (Steph Talbot) hit a couple of really huge threes and that brought us back in.”7

On being tested by Japan and fighting back to get the victory Opals Head Sandy Brondello said “It was a great hit-out for us. I explained to them that Japan were going to have some urgency because they need to win. They’re trying to qualify and do something big here. You’re not always going to have a great first half at a tournament, but we found some grit in that third quarter, and the group we had on the floor were elite defensively. Our defence created our offence, and that is our identity.”8

Court time has been spread fairly evenly for the Opals during the first two games of WCQT in Istanbul with 11 of the dozen players averaging between 11.0 and 25.0 minutes per game. A quartet of Paris Olympic Games bronze medallists that have started each game at WCQT 2026 are averaging over 22.0 minutes per game – Smith (24.5 minutes), Whitcomb (23.6), Talbot (22.9) and Magbegor (22.6). Three Opals are averaging double figures in points – starting duo Magbegor (15.0 points per game) and Whitcomb (11.5) along with 21 year old guard Borlase (13.5 points) off the bench. Smith leads the Opals with 8.0 rebounds per game and Wilson ranks first with 4.5 assists per game.  

Australian Opals remaining schedule at FIBA WCQT 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye

Saturday, March 14         Australia vs Hungary at 10.30 pm AEDT

Monday, March 16          Türkiye vs Australia at 4.30 am AEDT

Wednesday, March 18    Australia vs Canada at 1.30 am AEDT

The Australian Opals four year cycle from the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 to now

For the past four year cycle from FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 to now details on the Australian Opals performances at FIBA tournaments is provided below. The Opals have finished on the podium at all four FIBA tournaments in this time, winning bronze medals at World Cup 2022, Asia Cup 2023, Paris Olympic Games 2024 and the gold medal at Asia Cup 2025.

Opals at FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 in Sydney

Six members of Australia’s silver medal winning team from the 2018 World Cup held in Spain were members of the Seven Consulting Opals team for the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 in Sydney – Tess Madgen, Sami Whitcomb, Cayla George, Steph Talbot, Bec Allen and Ezi Magbegor. Three other members of Australia’s  World Cup 2022 team had played for the Opals at a major championship – Marianna Tolo, Sara Blicavs and Lauren Jackson who was making her ninth appearance at a major championship, having been a member of the first three Opals teams to win World Cup medals in 1998, 2002 and 2006. The three members of the Opals team that made their major championship debut on home soil in Sydney were Kristy Wallace, Darcee Garbin and 2021/22 WNBL Most Valuable Player Anneli Maley.    

Australia were hosting the FIBA Women’s World Cup for the second time in 2022, having previously hosted in 1994 when the tournament’s official name was 1994 FIBA World Championship for Women and was also known as OZ 94.

Eight of the top 10 ranked nations in the world were among the 12 nations competing at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup with the 12 nations split into two groups of six teams. Group B was quickly labelled the ‘Group of death’ after five of the top 10 nations in the world, Australia (3), Canada (4), France (6), Japan (8) and Serbia (10) were all drawn into this group. With a world ranking of 37 Mali were the underdogs of Group B. In the first six days of the World Cup from Thursday 22 September to Tuesday 28 September each nation played five games comprised of one game against each of the other five nations in their group. All of the Seven Consulting Opals games were played at the Sydney SuperDome (also known as Qudos Bank Arena).

In Australia’s opening game of World Cup 2022 in Sydney against France on Thursday 22 September the Opals starters were Whitcomb, Allen, Talbot, George and Magbegor. After trailing France by five points at three-quarter time the Opals were outscored in the final term 10-18 and lost to France 57-70.

The Opals won their next two games, defeating Mali 118-58 and Serbia 69-54. The win against Serbia came at a cost with starter Allen suffering an injury to her ribs in the last quarter which forced her to miss the Opals final two Group B games. During the group phase Allen led the Opals with 13.3 points per game.

In the Opals fourth group game they played Canada who had won their first three games of the tournament. In the last four minutes of the second quarter the Opals went on a 19-0 run to turn a 19-33 deficit into a 38-33 lead at half-time. The Opals went on to defeat Canada 75-72.

After losing their opening game to France, Australia had three consecutive wins to have the same win-loss record as Canada and France with one more day of group play remaining on Tuesday 27 September. If Australia, Canada and France all finished Group B tied on four wins and one loss, the points difference in the head-to-head games between these three nations would determine their positions, resulting in Canada finishing first, France second and Australia third.

In the first Group B game on Tuesday 27 September Canada defeated Mali 88-65 to secure a top two finish in the group. Australia got the result they wanted in the second Group B game at the Sydney SuperDome with Serbia defeating France 68-62. If Australia defeated Japan in their final Group B game they would finish on top of Group A but if they lost to Japan they would finish third, resulting in a quarter final game against one of the top two teams from Group A, the undefeated USA or China who’s only loss was to USA. Belgium finished third in Group A with three wins followed by Puerto Rico in fourth place with two wins. Korea with one win and Bosnia and Herzegovina with no wins were both knocked out of the competition at the end of the group phase.

With their speed and three-point shooting Japan had posed match-up problems for Australia in recent years, having defeated the Opals in three consecutive Asia Cups in 2017, 2019 and 2021. Japan won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics but had been unable to recapture that form at the 2022 World Cup and regardless of the result against the Opals would not advance to the quarter finals. 

In the Opals final Group B game against Japan Australia had their fourth different starting line-up in their five group games with only Whitcomb and Talbot being starters for every game. Other starters against Japan were Blicavs, Magbegor and Tolo. The Seven Consulting Opals retained t0his starting line-up for the rest of the tournament. Australia led Japan by two points at half-time, 36-34. The Opals outscored Japan 20-9 in the third quarter to set-up a 71-54 victory.

Australia had four wins and one loss to finish on top of Group B ahead of Canada who had the same win-loss record. The Opals won the tie-breaker due to defeating Canada by three points in the head- to-head match between the two nations. Serbia and France were third and fourth respectively in Group B with three wins each, ahead of Japan with one win and Mali with no wins. The top four teams in each group advanced to the quarter finals.

After playing five games in six days all eight nations remaining in the tournament had a rest day on Wednesday 28 September before playing their quarter final on Thursday 29 September. Australia’s quarter-final was against Belgium in the fourth and final game of the day.

Belgian power forward Emma Messeman suffered a calf injury in her nation’s fourth group game which ended her tournament. Messeman was selected in the All-Star five at the 2018 World Cup and scored 32 points in Belgium’s victory against Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games. In their quarter final at the 2022 World Cup Australia led Belgium 26-16 at quarter time and went on to win 86-69 to progress to the semi finals.

At FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 Australia played China in a semi final, just as they had in 1994 when China defeated host nation Australia 66-65. The 2022 semi final at the Sydney Superdome between China and Australia was an intense battle in front of 11,916 fans. Whilst there was plenty of crowd support for host nation Australia, China had a vocal fan base in the stadium as well.

With eight minutes remaining in the second quarter the Opals led China 23-20. China went on a 16-7 run for the rest of the second quarter led by seven points from centre Han Xu to lead Australia 36-30 at half-time. The Seven Consulting Opals reduced the margin to three points, 44-47 at three quarter time. The Opals led China 59-57 with one minute and 50 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. China scored the final four points of the game to defeat Australia 61-59.

Steph Talbot shooting a three pointer for Adelaide against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 6 December 2024

The Opals met Canada again in the bronze medal game. After Australia led Canada 51-43 at half-time the Opals dominated the second half 44-22 to have a 95-65 victory and win the bronze medal. During the bronze medal game against Canada Jackson put on an exhibition to score a phenomenal game-high 30 points at an accuracy of 68.8% from the field in 21 minutes court-time after commencing the game on the bench. At World Cup 2022 Steph Talbot averaged 8.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists (ranked 4^th at the World Cup) per game and played phenomenal defense to earn selection in the tournament’s All Star Five.

Lauren Jackson making a field goal in Southside Flyers WNBL game against UC Capitals at the State Basketball Centre on 6 January 2024 with Monica Okoye playing defense

FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023

The Australian team at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023 held in Sydney, Australia from Sunday  26 June to Sunday 2 July included a quartet of players from Australia’s bronze medal winning team at  Asia Cup 2021 – Keely Froling, Darcee Garbin, Lauren Nicholson and Lauren Scherf. Other members of Australia’s AC 2023 team were Amy Atwell, Chloe Bibby, Shyla Heal, Chantel Horvat, Alice Kunek, Tess Madgen, Anneli Maley and Maddy Rocci. All games during FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023 were played at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre (also known as Quaycentre) which was one of the venues for Group games at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022.

Throughout the group stage of Asia Cup 2023 Australia’s starting line-up was Opals captain Madgen, Nicholson, Kunek, Garbin and Scherf. The Opals comprehensively won their first two Group B games, defeating Philippines 105-34 and Chinese Taipei 91-45.

In their third and final Group B game Australia started well to lead 21-15 against Japan at quarter time. Japan dominated the second quarter 29-11 to gain the ascendancy and led 44-32 at half time. Japan won each quarter in the second half by at least six points and recorded a convincing 91-66 victory against the Opals.

Australia finished second in Group B and in a qualification semi final played Korea who had finished third in Group A. The winner of the qualification semi final between the Opals and Korea would  advance to the semi finals and in doing so book a ticket to an Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament in February 2024. The Opals made a change to their starting line-up against Korea with Maddy Rocci replacing Nicholson. Australia’s starting line-up for their last three games of the tournament was Rocci, Madgen, Kunek, Garbin and Scherf. Australia gained control early and led Korea 31-16 at quarter time and went on to win 91-64 and advance to the semi finals.

China outscored Australia 18-11 in the first and third quarters of their semi final to set up a 74-60 victory. In the bronze medal game Australia played Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand. A strong defensive performance set up Australia’s victory with the Tall Ferns only scoring more than 14 points in one quarter, scoring 17 points in the third quarter. In each of the three other terms New Zealand scored 14 points. By defeating New Zealand 81-59 the Opals won their third consecutive Asia Cup bronze medal. 

In a well deserved return to the Opals team Kunek thrived as a starter to average 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists per game and had a three point accuracy of 42.3% to earn selection in the FIBA Asia Cup 2023 All-Star Five.

Alice Kunek playing for the Southside Flyers against the Sydney Flames at the State Basketball Centre on 9 November 2024

was one of eight Opals that averaged at least 6.0 points per game at AC 2023 along with Garbin (10.2 points), Froling (10.0), Rocci (8.8), Madgen (8.7), Scherf (8.5), Heal (7.5) and Maley (6.0). Rocci ranked fourth overall at the tournament with 4.2 assists per game and Madgen was equal fifth with 4.0 assists per game. Scherf and Maley ranked equal first for the Opals and equal seventh overall with 7.5 rebounds per game.

Opals at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games

An experienced Australian Seven Consulting Opals team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games included nine players that had represented the Opals in multiple major championships led by Lauren Jackson who was competing in her 10^th major championship. Opals in the 2024 Paris team joining LJ in this category with multiple major championships were Cayla George (6), Steph Talbot (5), Marianna Tolo (5), Tess Madgen (4), Ezi Magbegor (4), Alanna Smith (3), Sami Whitcomb (3) and Kristy Wallace (2).

Isobel Borlase playing for Adelaide Lightning against the Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre on 22 December 2022

The two youngest members of the Opals Olympic Games team, 21 year old Jade Melbourne and 19 year old Isobel Borlase both made their major championship debut in Paris. Melbourne and Borlase were both members of the Australian Gems team that won the silver medal at FIBA Under 19 World Cup 2022 and were roommates at that tournament. Rebecca Allen was named in the Opals team for the 2024 Paris Olympics and was set to represent her nation at a major championship for the fifth time but was a late withdrawal after suffering a hamstring injury in the Opals final warm-up game against Canada. Guard Amy Atwell played in both of Australia’s two warm-up games and was brought into the Olympic Games team to replace Allen and make her major championship debut. Six players from the Opals team three years earlier for the Tokyo Olympics suited up for their nation at the 2024 Games – George, Madgen, Magbegor, Smith, Talbot and Tolo.

Jade Melbourne playing for the UC Capitals in a road game against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 17 November 2024

Australia were in Group B at the women’s 5 on 5 basketball tournament of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. In their first game of the tournament on Monday 29 July the world number three ranked Opals played 12^th ranked Nigeria. The Opals starting line-up was Jade Melbourne and Sami Whitcomb in the back court along with Steph Talbot, Alanna Smith and Ezi Magbegor in the front court. All five Opals starters played in the WNBA in 2024 and a duo, Magbegor and Whitcomb were teammates at Seattle Storm. At the mid-season break Smith and Magbegor each ranked in the WNBA’s top five for blocks per game and top 20 for rebounds, steals and field goal accuracy.

The Opals were able to build an early 13-5 lead against Nigeria. Momentum quickly shifted with Nigeria going on a 36-15 run for the rest of the first half to lead by 13 points at the main break 41-28. The Opals were able to reduce Nigeria’s lead to two points with over six minutes left in the fourth quarter. Nigeria remain composed and responded well to win by 13 points, 75-62. Critical factors in Australia’s upset loss were making eight of 18 free throws and committing 26 turnovers to Nigeria’s 15. In a starting role Smith was the Opals best player, scoring 15 points at 67% from the field and took seven rebounds. Talbot registered a rebound-assists double-double with 12 rebounds and 10 assists to set game-highs in both categories.   

On 1 August the Opals defeated Canada 70-65 to square their ledger at one win and one loss. Key factors in Australia’s victory were a 42-31 rebound advantage and shooting at 48% from the field, a significant advantage over Canada’s accuracy of 35%. Guard Sami Whitcomb shot at 70% from the field, scored an equal game-high 19 points, made a game-high 10 assists, took five rebounds and made two steals in a brilliant all-round game. Five Opals were in double figures for scoring with Whitcomb being joined in this category by Tolo, George and Talbot with 11 points each along with Magbegor with 10 points.

Sami Whitcomb playing for Bendigo Spirit against Townsville Fire at Red Energy Arena on 14 December 2024

Australia’s third and final Group B game was at 9.00 pm Sunday 4 August Paris time, 5.00 am Monday 5 August AEST against host nation France who had qualified for the quarter finals. France had been one of the form teams of the tournament to that stage, winning their first two games against Canada and Nigeria with the same score 75-54. If Australia lost to France they would miss out on the quarter finals and would be eliminated from the tournament. An Opals victory would result in Australia, France and Nigeria having a record of two wins and one loss. Points differential in the head-to-head games between these three nations would be required to rank them from first to third in Group B. In head-to-head games between the three nations the points differential before the game between France and Australia was, France +21, Nigeria -8, and Australia -13. If Australia defeated France by four points or less the order would remain the same with France first, Nigeria second and Australia third. If Australia defeated France by six points or more they would finish second and Nigeria third. An Opals victory against France by 18 points or more would enable them to overtake France and finish first. A five point win by Australia would have them tied with Nigeria for points difference and a 17 point win would have Australia tied for points differential with France. In either of these two instances the team that had the higher total points scored in the head-to-head games would be ranked higher. 

The first half between host nation France and Australia was an arm wrestle with the scores locked at 34 points apiece at half-time. Opals captain Tess Madgen made a three-pointer to extend the Opals lead to four points with two minutes and 47 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Less than a minute later Madgen made the next score of the game, another three-pointer to extend the Opals lead to seven points. France fought back to reduce the margin to one point midway through the last quarter. Again Madgen played a critical role in extending Australia’s margin to the required six points. Madgen cut to the basket, received a pass from Magbegor and made a lay up to increase the Opals lead to three points, 67-64. Madgen provided an assist for a George three-pointer to extend the Opals lead to six points, 70-64 with three minutes and 48 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Just under three minutes later a Gabby Williams three-pointer reduced Australia’s lead to five points, 72-67. On the next possession Whitcomb made a pull-up jump shot to increase Australia’s lead to seven points, 74-67 with 43 seconds. Marine Johannes answered with a step back three-pointer to trim the margin to four points, 70-74 with 33 seconds left, leaving Australia with some work to do to advance to the quarter finals. The Opals scored the next four points of the game comprised of a George pullup jump shot and two free throws made by Talbot to increase the lead to eight points 78-70 with 11 seconds left. France quickly responded with a lay up by Marieme Badiane from a Williams assist to reduce the margin to six points with four seconds. After the Opals inbound George was fouled. In her trip to the foul line George made her first free throw, missed the second and the Opals recorded a thrilling seven point victory, 79-72 to advance to the quarter finals.

In a must win game against France, Opals captain Madgen made four of six three-pointers at an accuracy of 67%, scored a game-high 18 points at 67% from the field, took three rebounds and played 30 minutes and 41 seconds court time off the bench. Madgen accounted for two thirds of the Opals three-pointers with the team as a whole making six three-pointers. Post game Opals starter Melbourne commented “Madgen, whenever we needed a three, she hit one.” Madgen was one of four Opals that reached double figures in scoring and had a field goal accuracy of at least 50%, being joined in this category by Magbegor – 14 points at 50%, Smith – 12 points at 75% and Whitcomb – 12 points at 71.4%. Australia won the assist count 22-16 with Whitcomb making a game-high seven assists.

During an interview on Channel 9 after the Opals win against France Andrew Gaze asked “Hey Tess, what a game, very emotional, you were clearly aware of what you had to do to try and avoid the USA but most importantly was the win.” Madgen responded “Yeah absolutely, we honestly didn’t have anything in our minds besides winning the game. We got ourselves in a bit of trouble against Nigeria, they’re having a great tournament, all credit to them. I am just so proud of the girls, one point, six points I am just so happy with the win.” Gaze said “We are proud of every one of you but more importantly we are proud of you in a green and gold jersey, I have not seen a more impressive performance when the game has been on the line and what you had to do knocking down the shots and under enormous pressure, they were up the court pressuring the whole game.” Tess replied “Yeah, the coaches put together a really good game plan, we knew they would be up all night for 40 minutes and knew if we took care of the ball, took good shots and won the rebounds we would be in really good shape. I am the captain of this team, it is a huge responsibility and one I take with great pride so I was absolutely going to leave everything out there on the floor tonight.”

Tess Madgen during the warm-up for Sydney Flames game against Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 12 January 2024

For a quarter final the Opals were drawn to play Serbia, the nation that ended the Opals Olympic Games at the same stage of the tournament, eight years earlier at Rio 2016. In a men’s basketball quarter final at the 2024 Paris Olympics Serbia defeated the Australian Boomers 95-90 in overtime.

During their quarter final in Paris the Opals gained the ascendancy in the first half to lead Serbia 48-32 at half-time. Australia went on to win by 18 points, 85-67 to progress to the medal games for the seventh time overall in the women’s basketball five on five tournament at the Olympics and first time since the London 2012 Olympic Games. The only player on the Opals 2024 Olympic team that had won an Olympic medal was Lauren Jackson, having won three silver medals, 2000, 2004 and 2008 along with a bronze medal in 2012. In the Opals victory against Serbia Smith shot at a proficient 53.8 % from the field and recorded a double-double comprised of 22 points and 13 rebounds to set game-highs in both categories. Point guard Melbourne played her best game of the tournament to score 18 points at 66.7% from the field and made an equal game-high five assists. Off the bench George scored 18 points at 50% from the field. Whitcomb scored 15 points and the Opals four highest scorers accounted for 73 of their nation’s 85 points. Australia won the rebound count against Serbia 43-32 and had the superior field goal accuracy, 46% to 39%.

In a semi final the United States dominated the second quarter 25-11 to set up an 85-64 victory against the Opals. Starter Talbot aggravated a foot injury in the first half and didn’t play in the second half. Madgen commenced the second half on the court, replacing Talbot. Three Opals reached double figures in scoring against USA, first time Olympian Borlase with 11 points followed by Madgen and Tolo with 10 points each. Smith made three of her four field goal attempts at an accuracy of 75%, scored seven points and took a team-high seven rebounds.

The later semi final was host nation France against Belgium. In overtime France prevailed to have an 81-75 victory to progress to the gold medal game against the United States. For their first five games of the tournament Australia had the same starting line-up however one of the starters Talbot had been restricted by a planter fascia injury. For the bronze medal game against Belgium Talbot was replaced in the starting line by Opals captain Madgen who joined Melbourne, Whitcomb, Smith and Magbegor in her nation’s starting quintet. Belgium were competing in the women’s basketball 5 on 5 tournament for the second time, having finished seventh at the Tokyo 2020 OlympicsAt the end of the first three quarters of the semi final between Australia and Belgium the margin was one point. The Opals led by a point at quarter time and half time and Belgium led by a point at three quarter time.

A step back three pointer by Julie Vanloo on the first possession of the final quarter extended Belgium’s lead to four points. A three-pointer by Madgen with seven minutes and eight seconds left in the fourth quarter resulted in Australia taking a 68-66 lead. Vanloo responded on the next possession, making a three-pointer to regain a one point lead for Belgium. Australia scored the next eight points of the game comprised of two free throws by Smith, a free throw by Talbot, a layup by Magbegor and a three-point play by Smith to lead 76-69 with four minutes and eight seconds to play in the stanza. For the remainder of the game Belgium twice reduced the margin to three points, on both occasions Opals captain Madgen made the next score of the game. With two minutes and 41 seconds left in the fourth quarter Madgen made a three-pointer to increase Australia’s lead to six points, 79-73. A made three pointer by Antonia Delaere reduced Australia’s lead to three points, 81-78 with one minute and five seconds left in the fourth quarter. 40 seconds later Delaere attempted another three-pointer, however Talbot at full stretch displayed great timing and judgement to block the shot. After a shot clock violation by Belgium Vanloo fouled Madgen with 15.8 seconds left with Belgium trailing by three points 81-78. Madgen made two free throws to extend the lead to five points, 83-78. Madgen was fouled with 6.9 seconds left and made both free throws to extend the Opals lead to seven points 85-78. On the final buzzer Vanloo made a three-pointer to reduce the margin to four points, 85-81.

After losing their opening game of the tournament to Nigeria and narrowly making it to the quarter finals Australia improved as the tournament progressed to finish on the podium and win the bronze medal. On making free throws late in the bronze medal game against Belgium Madgen commented “Honestly, I was pretty nervous. It was probably the most nervous I’ve ever been to shoot. As the crowd got louder….that kind of egged me on to make it. All I could think of was shutting the crowd up.”

With the stakes at their highest Magebgor played an incredible game to make 12 of 17 field goal attempts at an accuracy of 70.6%, score a game-high 30 points, take a game-high 13 rebounds, made three assists, had three blocked shots and two steals in the victory against Belgium. With a medal on the line Magbegor rose to the occasion to deliver an “All-Time Women’s Olympic High 45 efficiency”  and Ezi was joined in double figures for scoring by Whitcomb (14 points), Smith (13) and Melbourne (10). Smith took 12 rebounds to record a double-double and Melbourne made a team-high seven assists. Australia had a significant advantage on the boards, winning the rebound count 42-27 against Belgium. The Opals made 24 assists and had 11 turnovers.

At the Paris Olympic Games seven Opals averaged at least 17.0 minutes per game led by Whitcomb with 31.3 minutes per game. Magbegor, Talbot, Madgen, Melbourne, Smith and George all averaged between 17.0 and 26.0 minutes per game. Six of these seven players are in the Opals team for the World Cup Qualifying Tournament 2026 in Istanbul. Madgen is the exception, retiring after the Paris Olympics.

Whitcomb led Australia with 13.0 points per game, ahead of Smith and Magbegor in equal second place with 11.5 points. Eight Opals averaged at least 5.0 points per game with other players in this category being Madgen (7.5), Melbourne (7.0), George (7.0), Talbot (5.7) and Tolo (5.0). The Opals leading rebounders were Smith (8.0 rebounds per game), Talbot (7.5) and Magbegor (6.0). Whitcomb led Australia with 5.3 assists ahead of Talbot (4.5) and Melbourne (2.8).

At the 2024 Paris Olympics Smith started all six games for the Australian Opals, had a field goal accuracy of 52.0%, three-point accuracy of 41.7% and averaged 11.5 points (ranked equal 2^nd for the Opals), 8.0 rebounds (1^st) and 1.2 steals per game. Smith was recognised for her outstanding tournament by being selected in the All-Star Five at the FIBA 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Magbegor was selected in the Paris Olympics All-Second Team after having a field goal accuracy of 50.9% and averaged 11.5 points (ranked equal 2^nd for the Opals), 6.0 rebounds (3^rd) per game and 1.5 blocked shots (1^st) per game.

 Opals at Asia Women’s Cup 2025

When Basketball Australia announced the Seven Consulting Opals FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 team on 23 May 2025 the 12 player team only included two players from Australia’s bronze medal winning team at Asia Cup 2023 in Sydney, Maddy Rocci and Chloe Bibby. The Opals had a setback with Rocci being ruled out of AC 2025 on 7 July due to injury. A quartet in the Opals Asia Cup 2025 team had represented Australia at a previous edition of the tournament – Sara Blicavs (2017 & 2019), Cayla George (2019), Zitina Aokuso (2021) and Bibby (2023). Six players in the Australian Opals Asia Cup 2025 team had represented Australia before 2025 with Reid and Borlase joining the four players named above in this category. For Asia Cup 2023 George was named captain and Blicavs was appointed vice-captain.

Five members of the Australian Opals bronze medal winning team from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games were unable to be considered for Asia Cup 2025 due to WNBA commitments – Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm), Jade Melbourne (Washington Mystics), Alanna Smith (Minnesota Lynx), Steph Talbot (Golden State Valkyries) and Sami Whitcomb (Phoenix Mercury). Due to WNBA commitments as the Head Coch of New York Liberty in the WNBA Opals Head Coach Sandy Brondello was unavailable for Asia Cup 2025. Opals Associate Head Coach Paul Goriss was the Head Coach at AC 2025. Two members of the bronze medal winning team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games that represented Australia at AC 2025 were guard Isobel Borlase and frontcourt player Cayla George. 

The Opals FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 team had less experience representing their nation at senior level in five on five basketball at international tournaments than a typical Opals team. This was highlighted by the fact that six members of the Australian AC 2025 team were yet to make their Opals debut at the end of April 2025. A quartet of players – Abbey Ellis, Alex Fowler, Courtney Woods and Miela Sowah made their debut for the Australian Opals in the Trans-Tasman Throwdown against New Zealand in May during a three game series and all represented the Opals at Asia Cup 2025. Ellis was a late inclusion at AC 2025 for the injured Rocci. Less than a year after making their Opals debuts together the quartet of Ellis, Fowler, Woods and Sowah were all teammates and starters on the Townsville Fire team that won the 2025/26 WNBL championship. A former Townsville Fire player Steph Reid was named the Opals captain for the Trans-Tasman Throwdown against New Zealand in May 2025, a magnificent achievement, especially for someone who couldn’t break through to represent their state let alone their country at junior level. A duo in  Australia’s 2025 Asia Cup team – Isabelle Bourne and Ally Wilson made their Opals debut in China in warm-up games for Asia Cup 2025.

From Sunday 13 July to Sunday 20 July the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 was held in Shenzhen, China. Australia had competed at four previous Asia Cups from 2017 to 2023 and had finished on the podium each time but were yet to win the gold medal, having won the silver medal in 2017 followed by a hat-trick of bronze medals in 2019, 2021 and 2023.

The Opals starting line-up throughout Asia Cup 2025 In Shenzen, China was Reid, Borlase, Fowler, Blicavs and George. Six players – Aokuso, Bibby, Bourne, Ellis, Sowah and Woods all played court time off the bench in the opening game. Due to a knee injury guard Wilson didn’t play. Australia recorded a convincing 115-39 victory against the Philippines and were at their most dominant in the fourth quarter, winning the term 28-2. All 11 players that had court time for Australia scored at least four points led by Sowah with a game-high 19 points at an accuracy of 70% from the field. Six Australians were in double figures in scoring including Blicavs with 17 points and Bibby with 16 points at 70% from the field. Australia’s only remaining player from Asia Cup 2023 – Bibby recorded a double-double, taking an equal game-high 10 rebounds (along with Opals captain George) playing 19 minutes and 54 seconds off the bench. Two point guards, Reid and Ellis that were teammates for NBL1 South club Diamond Valley Eagles in 2025 each made an equal game-high nine assists for the Opals against the Philippines.

The Opals had their second consecutive win by more than 70 points at Asia Cup 2025, defeating Lebanon by 79 points, 113-34. All 10 Opals that played court time played between 17 and 23 minutes and scored at least seven points, led by Bourne with 15 points in her first senior FIBA five on five tournament. Bibby recorded her second double-double of the tournament, scoring 12 points at 71.3% from the field and took a game-high 12 rebounds. Australia won the assist count against Lebanon 39-7 and three Opals made at least six assists each, Reid and Woods with an equal game-high seven assists each along with Fowler with six assists.

Chloe Bibby playing for Perth Lynx against the Melbourne Boomers at Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on 29 January 2023

The Opals third and final Group B game against Japan on Tuesday 15 July was likely to determine which team finished on top of the group and advanced directly to the semi finals. Both teams had won their first two games at the tournament against Philippines and Lebanon however Japan were  unable to maintain the same standard they had played at during recent Asia Cups. Australia’s aggregate winning margin from their first two games was 155 points whilst Japan’s combined winning margin against the same opponents was just seven points. Japan won their first game of Asia Cup 2025 against Lebanon 72-68 and followed this up with an 85-82 victory against the Philippines.

Australia were favourites for their final group game against Japan due to their better form early at Asia Cup 2025 however Japan with their speed and three-point shooting had posed match-up problems for the Opals at previous editions of the tournament. Japan’s starting five for the group game against the Opals was Norika Konno, Stephanie Mawuli, Maki Takada, Ramu Tokashiki and Kokoro Tanaka. This quintet are all representing Japan at the FIBA Women’s Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul, Türkiye. Australia started  the 2025 group game well to lead Japan by four points, 26-22 at quarter time. Japan made four three pointers in the second quarter including two in the first 40 seconds of the term and outscored Australia 29-16 in the stanza to turn a four point quarter time deficit into a nine point half time lead 51-42.  

Alex Fowler shooting a three-pointer playing for Townsville Fire against the Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre on 4 January 2025

Australia responded in emphatic fashion to restrict Japan to just 16 points in the second half comprised of eight points in each quarter. The Opals scored 37 points in the second half to win the game by 12 points, 79-67. Australia utilised their size advantage over Japan to win the rebound count 44-32. Reid scored a team-high 15 points at 60% from the field and made a game-high nine assists. Aokuso scored 14 points at 66.7% from the field and took a game-high eight rebounds. The Opals quartet of double figure scorers was completed by Bliacvs (13) and Fowler (11). For Japan Mawuli scored a game-high 19 points at 54.5% from the field. Tanaka ranked second for Japan with 10 points and made a team-high five assists. Takada took six rebounds to be the only Japanese player with more than three boards. 

In a semi final against Korea the Opals opened up a nine point lead at quarter time 22-13. For the second game in a row Australia were outscored in the second quarter, Korea took the honours for the term 25-20 to reduce the deficit to four points at half time. Korea scored the first two field goals of the third quarter to level the scores at 42-42 apiece with eight minutes and 37 seconds remaining in the third term. The Opals went on a 13-2 run to regain the ascendancy and led 55-44 with four minutes and 51 seconds left in the third stanza. The Opals went on to defeat Korea 86-73 to advance to the Asia Cup final for the second time, having won the silver medal the first time they competed at the tournament in 2017. The Opals most experienced player, George shot at a team-high 60% from the field, scored an equal game-high 20 points along with Korea’s Yeeun Heo and took a game-high 13 rebounds. Five Australians scored between nine and 14 points against Korea comprised of Blicavs (14), Bibby (12), Fowler (11) and Reid (9). Again Reid led the Opals with eight assists, Fowler ranked second in this category with four dimes.

In a semi final Japan upset host nation China 90-81 to progress to the final and played the Opals for the second time at the tournament. For the final Australia and Japan both had the same starting quintets they had for their group game against each other. Four minutes into the first quarter of the final Japan led 10-8 with Tanaka scoring five points. The Opals went on a 10-0 run to establish an eight point lead with three minutes and 28 seconds left in the first term and went on to lead 54-43 at half time. Japan won a low scoring third quarter 16-13 to reduce the deficit to eight points at three quarter time. Japan had the better start to the fourth quarter and levelled the scores twice, at 70 all and 73 points apiece with six minutes and 19 left in the stanza but were unable to take the lead. Before the final Wilson had  played less than 10 minutes in total for the tournament due to a knee injury. Despite this Wilson made a massive impact in the fourth quarter of the final. An Australian unanswered seven point run comprised of a lay-up by Wilson, a three-pointer by Reid and another lay-up by Wilson gave Australia an 80-73 lead with four minutes and 11 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Australia defeated Japan 88-79 to win the gold medal with Wilson scoring 13 of her 14 points for the game in an exceptional final quarter.

Fowler scored a team-high 15 points and took a game-high six offensive rebounds. Aokuso took a team-high eight rebounds and ranked equal second with Reid with four assists. Opals captain George made a team-high five assists. Joining Fowler and Wilson in double figures for scoring were Reid (13) and Aokuso (11). Tanaka scored 21 points for Japan and made nine assists to register game-highs in both categories. Off the bench Miyazawa scored 18 points and made a game-high nine assists. The rebound count was far closer in the final with Australia having a narrow advantage 39-38. The Opals had 22 assists to Japan’s 15 and handled the ball better to have nine turnovers to Japan’s 17. 

After Australia defeated Japan in the final to win the gold medal Opals Coach Goriss commented “We knew coming in that Japan had a huge win last night against China and that they’re gonna be a formidable opponent. I think that our team and the players really bought into the game plan. Really happy and proud of the team for their efforts this whole week.”5

Article and photographs by Dean Andrews

Twitter – @DeanAndrews7777

References

1 https://www.australia.basketball/news/4422307/opals-squad-confirmed-ahead-of-world-cup-qualifiers

2 More pace and space: Brondello’s goals for Opals’ World Cup qualifiers – ESPN

3 https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026-qualifying-tournament-istanbul-turkiye/news/preview-whos-ready-to-roar-in-istanbul

4 https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026-qualifying-tournament-istanbul-turkiye/event-guide/venue

5https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026/how-to-qualify

6 More pace and space: Brondello’s goals for Opals’ World Cup qualifiers – ESPN

7 https://www.australia.basketball/news/4467612/opals-grind-out-gritty-win-over-japan

8 https://www.australia.basketball/news/4467612/opals-grind-out-gritty-win-over-japan