Istanbul, Turkey – Despite a hard-fought 89-74 loss to Hungary in their final 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament game, the Turkish Women’s National Basketball Team has secured a spot in the tournament. Playing at the Turkcell Basketbol Geliştirme Merkezi, the team finished third in Group C, earning one of the coveted berths to the World Cup.
This marks the third appearance for Turkey in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. The team first competed in 2014, when they hosted the tournament and achieved a remarkable fourth-place finish. They also participated in the 2018 World Cup in Spain, finishing tenth. Throughout their ten World Cup games played to date, Turkey has a balanced record of five wins and five losses.
The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will be held in Berlin, Germany, from September 4-13. Matches will be played at the Berlin Arena and Max Schmeling Hall. The Turkish team received a symbolic World Cup ticket alongside their Hungarian counterparts following the conclusion of the game.
Game Recap: Hungary Overpowers Turkey
Hungary controlled much of the contest, leading at halftime 52-41 and extending their advantage throughout the second half. Dorka Juhasz led the Hungarian attack with a game-high 24 points, even as Reka Lelik and Debora Dubei added 10 and 16 points respectively. Virag Kiss contributed 17 points to the Hungarian victory.
For Turkey, Sevgi Uzun led the scoring with 15 points, followed by Kennedy Burke with 10 and Gökşen Fıtık with 11. Şerife Alperi Onar added 12 points for the home team. Despite the loss, the Turkish team’s earlier results in the qualifying tournament proved sufficient to secure their place in the World Cup.
A Seem Back at Turkey’s World Cup History
Turkey’s journey in international basketball has been marked by consistent growth and notable achievements. Their fourth-place finish at the 2014 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, held on home soil, remains a high point for the program. That performance showcased the team’s potential and ignited a passion for the sport within the country.
The 2018 World Cup in Spain presented a different challenge, with the team finishing tenth. However, the experience gained from competing against top international teams continued to contribute to the development of Turkish basketball. The team’s consistent participation in these tournaments demonstrates a commitment to elevating the sport within Turkey.
What This Means for Turkish Basketball
Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is a significant accomplishment for the Turkish Women’s National Basketball Team and a testament to the dedication of the players, coaches, and the Turkish Basketball Federation. It provides a valuable opportunity to compete against the world’s best teams and further develop the program.
The tournament in Berlin will be a chance for Turkey to showcase their talent on a global stage and inspire a fresh generation of basketball players. It also offers a platform to build momentum heading into future international competitions.
Team Details and Game Statistics
Salon: Turkcell Basketbol Geliştirme Merkezi
Hakemler: Julio Anaya, Orlando Varela, Nicolas Zivieri
Türkiye: Sevgi Uzun 15, Kennedy Burke 10, Gökşen Fıtık 11, Olcay Çakır Turgut 4, Esra Ural Topuz 4, Elif Bayram, Şerife Alperi Onar 12, Sinem Ataş 4, Ayşe Cora 6, Derin Erdoğan 3, Melek Uzunoğlu
Başantrenör: Andrea Mazzon
Macaristan: Dorka Juhasz 24, Reka Lelik 10, Debora Dubei 16, Nina Daniella Aho 9, Agnes Torok, Virag Kiss 17, Reka Dombai 1, Yvonne Turner 8, Aliz Varga 4, Panka Dulciena Dul
Başantrenör: Norbert Szekely
1. Periyot: 25-25
Devre: 41-52
3. Periyot: 52-66
The Turkish team will now turn their focus to preparations for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin. Further details regarding their schedule and opponents will be released by the tournament organizers in the coming weeks. Fans can stay updated on the team’s progress through the official FIBA website and the Turkish Basketball Federation’s channels.
