The Algerian women’s wheelchair basketball national team has been drawn into Group B for the 2026 World Championships, scheduled to run from September 9 to September 19 in Ottawa, Canada, according to the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF). As the reigning African champions, the squad faces a formidable pool featuring the United States, the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, and France.
The Road to Ottawa and Group B Realities
The tournament will gather 336 athletes across 28 men’s and women’s teams from around the globe. While Algeria carries the banner as Africa’s sole representative at the tournament, the team’s path through Group B pits them against several powerhouse programs. The full tournament match schedule is slated for release on June 18, which will give the Algerian delegation precise dates for their preliminary fixtures.
Group A features host nation Canada alongside Brazil, China, Great Britain, Australia, and Spain. The full tournament match schedule is slated for release on June 18, which will give the Algerian delegation precise dates for their preliminary fixtures.
Securing the Continental Crown
Algeria booked its ticket to Ottawa in April during the African qualifiers held in Landa, Angola. In the continental final, the team secured its sixth African title by defeating South Africa 45–30. That dominant run cemented their status as the undisputed leaders of wheelchair basketball on the continent, earning them the responsibility of representing African handi-basket on the world stage.
This upcoming tournament marks the third time the Algerian women’s selection has reached a world championship, following previous appearances at the 2018 World Championships in Hamburg and the 2023 edition in Dubai.
Captain’s Perspective on Preparation and Stakes
Speaking after the team’s triumph in Angola, team captain Djamila Khemgani emphasized the magnitude of the upcoming challenge.
“Our ambition at Ottawa will be to well represent Algeria and also to be dignifying ambassadors of African handi-basket during this high-level international event,” Khemgani stated. She also stressed that competing at the world level requires a complete pivot in preparation standards compared to regional competitions, noting that adequate institutional backing and specialized training camps must begin immediately to meet the physical and tactical demands of facing teams like the Netherlands and the United States.
What Comes Next
With the groups locked in by the IWBF, the next major checkpoint for the squad arrives on June 18, when organizers release the complete day-by-day match schedule.
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