Julirys Guzmán Laureano Makes History as First Puerto Rican Referee at FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup

Tournament Format and Venue Details

According to tournament organizers, the competition takes place across two major arenas in Berlin: the Uber Arena, which holds up to 14,000 spectators, and the Max-Schmeling-Halle, with a capacity of 9,000. Both venues sit in the center of the city and serve as the regular home courts for Alba Berlin. The event expands the tournament field back to 16 teams, up from the 12 sides that competed at the previous edition in Sydney.

The German Basketball Federation secured hosting rights on April 28, 2023, following previous major basketball events in the city, including the 2015 Men’s European Championship and the final stages of the 2022 Eurobasket. Reports indicate the Berlin city government invested six million euros to support the tournament’s infrastructure and staging.

Global Ambassadors and Commercial Partnerships

The International Basketball Federation enlisted high-profile basketball figures to serve as tournament ambassadors. Pau Gasol returns to the role after acting as an ambassador for the 2022 event in Australia, noting that the tournament reflects the ongoing growth and competitiveness of the women’s game worldwide. Sue Bird joins him as an ambassador, emphasizing the strategic priority of expanding women’s basketball participation.

On the commercial side, FIBA operates with a pool of 28 corporate sponsors for the event. Global partners include athletic brands such as Nike, Intersport, and Molten, alongside technology firms, financial institutions, and consumer goods companies. Additional event sponsors feature prominent banking, automotive, and retail brands.

Star Players and Key Contenders

Defending champions United States enter the tournament as the heavy favorites to capture their 12th world title. The American squad enters on a 30-game winning streak in World Cup competition, having claimed gold in the 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022 editions. Among the individual storylines, American guard Caitlin Clark makes her first official international tournament appearance for the senior national team, generating significant global interest alongside fellow WNBA standout Angel Reese.

Other notable figures include China’s center Zhang Ziyu, standing at 2.20 meters, who anchors the tallest roster in the tournament alongside teammates Li Yueru and Han Xu. Meanwhile, Spain’s veteran forward Alba Torrens enters the competition as the oldest player among the 192 athletes registered in Berlin, at 37 years of age.

Next Steps and Schedule

The group stage begins on September 4, 2026, with teams playing a round-robin schedule within four-team groups to secure advancement to the knockout rounds. The tournament concludes with the gold-medal match on September 13, 2026. Fans can follow official updates, schedules, and live scores through FIBA’s official tournament portal.