Canada Basketball has officially announced its 12-player roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament, setting the stage for a critical opening step toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. According to Canada Basketball, the team will compete from August 17 to 23, 2026, in Guadalajara, Mexico, marking the beginning of a fresh competitive cycle for the senior women’s national program.
The roster combines seasoned international experience with emerging talent from the youth pipeline. Kayla Alexander headlines the group as a double Olympian and the national program’s all-time leading rebounder in career play. Alexander, who represented Canada at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is one of five Olympians named to the Guadalajara squad alongside Yvonne Ejim, Sami Hill, Shaina Pellington, and Syla Swords, according to Canada Basketball announcements.
“Ce tournoi représente une première étape importante sur notre parcours vers Los Angeles 2028,” said Steve Baur, general manager of Canada’s senior women’s national team, via Canada Basketball. “Nous avons constitué cette formation de façon réfléchie afin de réunir de l’expérience olympique et de jeunes athlètes prêtes à faire leurs débuts avec l’équipe senior et à contribuer à façonner l’avenir du programme.”
Next-Generation Talent Joins the Senior Roster
Alongside its veteran leadership, the Canadian squad features several rising prospects stepping up to senior FIBA competition. Jasmine Bascoe, Avery Howell, Agot Makeer, and Cearah Parchment are set to make their senior national team debuts in Mexico, following their participation in the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup. Swords, who became the youngest Canadian basketball player to compete at an Olympic Games during her debut at Paris 2024, also returns after featuring for the U19 side last summer.
The complete 12-player roster announced by Canada Basketball includes:
- Kayla Alexander (Milton, Ont.)
- Jasmine Bascoe (Milton, Ont.)
- Faith Dut (Surrey, B.C.)
- Yvonne Ejim (Calgary, Alb.)
- Delaney Gibb (Raymond, Alb.)
- Sami Hill (Toronto, Ont.)
- Avery Howell (Boise, Idaho)
- Agot Makeer (Thunder Bay, Ont.)
- Cearah Parchment (Whitby, Ont.)
- Shaina Pellington (Pickering, Ont.)
- Syla Swords (Sudbury, Ont.)
- Tara Wallack (Surrey, B.C.)
Tournament Format and Group B Schedule
Drawn into Group B following the official FIBA procedure, Canada faces a round-robin schedule against tournament host Mexico, the Philippines, and Senegal. Group A comprises Argentina, Brazil, New Zealand, and South Sudan. The competition brings together eight nations that did not qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, offering an early pathway through the Olympic qualification ladder.
Canada opens its preliminary round against Senegal on August 17, followed by a matchup against the Philippines on August 19. The team concludes group play against host Mexico on August 20. Tip-off times for each preliminary fixture are set for 19:30 ET / 16:30 PT, except for the group finale against Mexico, which begins at 22:30 ET / 19:30 PT. Broadcast coverage for all matches is available via DAZN and the official FIBA YouTube channel, with post-game press conferences streamed live through FIBA Media.
Stakes on the Road to Los Angeles 2028
The top two teams from each group will advance to the tournament semifinals scheduled for August 22, leading up to the final on August 23. According to tournament regulations, the champion nation in Guadalajara secures a place into the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments slated for February 2028. However, the seven remaining participating teams retain alternative pathways to qualification through their respective continental championships next summer.
Preparation for the tournament followed senior national team training camps held in Montreal and Victoria, as the program shapes its trajectory toward the 2028 Olympic cycle. Fans can follow live updates and match statistics through Canada Basketball and FIBA tournament portals.
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