The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup group stage drew to a close today, confirming France and the United States as the first teams to earn direct quarter‑final berths, while the remaining groups still host intense battles for the final spots.
Both nations finished their groups with four points, placing them at the top of Group B and Group D respectively, and Australia and Belgium each recorded two victories in Group C, guaranteeing them a place in the next stage of competition.
The United States sealed its spot with a decisive win over Czechia, a result that not only added to their four‑point tally but also officially locked in the quarter‑final qualification before the final group matches were played.
In Group C, Australia and Belgium remain tied on four points, meaning only one of them will progress directly to the quarter‑finals; the runner‑up will have to navigate the play‑off round that begins on Tuesday, adding an extra layer of tension to the tournament's climax.
Group A still features a fierce contest among Germany, Mali, Japan and Spain, each vying for the single direct qualification slot, while the remaining positions will be decided through the play‑off matches scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Upcoming Schedule
The knockout phase begins on Thursday with the quarter‑finals, proceeds to semifinals on Saturday and concludes with the championship game on Sunday, outlining a clear path from the group stage to the final showdown.