South Korea Secures FIBA Women’s World Cup Berth Despite Loss to France

The South Korean women’s basketball team has qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, despite a 62-89 loss to France in their final qualifying match on March 18, 2026, in Villeurbanne, France. This marks South Korea’s 17th consecutive appearance in the Women’s World Cup finals.

Group D Standings

South Korea finished third in Group D with a record of three wins and two losses. France topped the group with a perfect 5-0 record, followed by Germany at 4-1. Nigeria, the Philippines, and Colombia rounded out the group standings.

Key Performances

Kang Lee-seul led the South Korean team in scoring with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Choi I-sam contributed 14 points. For France, Marine Johannes delivered a standout performance with 24 points, earning her the TCL Player of the Game honors .

Qualification Details

Germany and Nigeria automatically qualified for the World Cup finals, with Germany being the host nation and Nigeria the reigning AfroBasket champion. France and South Korea secured their spots through the final qualifying round. A total of 24 nations competed in the preliminary rounds, divided into four groups across Villeurbanne, Wuhan (China), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Istanbul.

Coach Park Soo-ho’s Perspective

Despite the loss, South Korean head coach Park Soo-ho emphasized the valuable experience gained by his players. “Regardless of whether we win or lose, the biggest benefit is that the players gained confidence through playing against strong teams,” he stated after the game. He expressed optimism about the team’s performance in the upcoming World Cup finals, believing the experience will contribute to a strong showing.

Looking Ahead

The FIBA Women’s World Cup finals are scheduled to take place in September 2026. South Korea will aim to build on their qualifying experience and make a strong impact on the global stage.