Basketball – U19 Women’s World Cup 2025: Mali and Nigeria to Represent Africa in Brno

Mali and Nigeria on the road to the U19 Women’s World Cup

With less than a year to go until the start of the U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2025, FIBA ​​has revealed the list of 16 teams qualified for this prestigious competition to be held in Brno, Czech Republic, from July 12 to 20, 2025. Among them, Mali and Nigeria will proudly represent the African continent.

Mali: An Eleventh Participation for a Dominant Team

Mali is emerging as a powerhouse in U18 and U19 women’s basketball in Africa. The Malians, who won the FIBA ​​AfroBasket U18 Women in 2024, will be participating in their eleventh U19 World Cup, with remarkable performances in past editions. In 2021, they reached the semi-finals in Hungary, and in 2023, they placed fifth in Madrid, marking their presence among the world’s best teams.

With this experience and their recent successes, Mali represents a serious chance of a podium finish for Africa in this next edition.

Nigeria: Return to World Cup after 13 years of absence

Nigeria are making their return to the U19 Women’s World Cup after a 13-year absence. The Nigerians last participated in 2011 in Chile, where they were eliminated in the group stage in a tough group alongside Australia, France and the host nation.

This new qualification for the U19 World Cup was acquired thanks to their solid performance at the FIBA ​​AfroBasket U18 Women 2024 in South Africa, where they won second place. This return marks a great opportunity for the Nigerians to show their progress on the international stage.

Conclusion: A Global Challenge for Mali and Nigeria

Mali and Nigeria will carry Africa’s hopes at the 2025 U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Brno. Mali will aim for another high-level performance, while Nigeria will seek to improve on their 2011 performance and advance beyond the first round. For both teams, this competition will be an opportunity to confirm the rise of African women’s basketball and to represent the continent with dignity.