Australian Opals will begin their 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup campaign against Puerto Rico on Friday, September 4, with ESPN Australia carrying every game of the tournament live and exclusive across its platforms.
The tournament runs in Germany from September 4 to September 13, with every match available through ESPN on Disney+.
A selection of matches will also be shown on ESPN via Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Fetch TV and Sky NZ, including every Australian Opals and United States game, along with the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Finals.
Australia’s three pool matches have 7pm AEST tip-offs, beginning with Puerto Rico on Friday, September 4.
The Opals then meet Turkiye on Sunday, September 6, before completing their pool schedule against Belgium on Monday, September 7.
ESPN will provide coverage of the Australian Opals throughout the tournament, led by host Kane Pitman alongside Bec Allen, Alice Kunek, Anneli Mailey and former Australian Boomers player Ryan Broekhoff.
Six members of Australia’s 2026 World Cup squad were part of the team that won bronze at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The Opals will also arrive in Berlin after claiming silver at the 2018 World Cup in Spain and bronze at home in 2022.
Australia’s 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup squad is Zitina Aokuso, Chloe Bibby, Isobel Borlase, Isabelle Bourne, Alex Fowler, Ezi Magbegor, Jade Melbourne, Steph Reid, Alanna Smith, Steph Talbot, Miela Sowah and Alex Wilson.
The United States enters the tournament having won five consecutive gold medals.
Its roster includes WNBA players Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Kahleah Cooper, Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson, among others.
Other teams identified as contenders include Belgium, France and host nation Germany, while China and Japan will also compete for a place deep into the tournament.
ESPN Australia has released the following group-stage broadcast schedule:
Friday, September 4
7pm AEST — Australia v Puerto Rico — ESPN and ESPN on Disney+
7.20pm AEST — Mali v Japan — ESPN on Disney+
10.05pm AEST — China v United States — ESPN and ESPN on Disney+
10.20pm AEST — Nigeria v Korea — ESPN on Disney+
Saturday, September 5
1.20am AEST — Turkiye v Belgium — ESPN on Disney+
1.35am AEST — Germany v Spain — ESPN on Disney+
4.05am AEST — Italy v Czechia — ESPN on Disney+
4.50am AEST — France v Hungary — ESPN on Disney+
7.20pm AEST — Spain v Mali — ESPN on Disney+
10.05pm AEST — Hungary v Nigeria — ESPN on Disney+
Sunday, September 6
1.50am AEST — Japan v Germany — ESPN on Disney+
4.35am AEST — Korea v France — ESPN and ESPN on Disney+
7pm AEST — Australia v Turkiye — ESPN and ESPN on Disney+
10.20pm AEST — Czechia v China — ESPN on Disney+
Monday, September 7
1.35am AEST — Belgium v Puerto Rico — ESPN on Disney+
4.35am AEST — USA v Italy — ESPN and ESPN on Disney+
7pm AEST — Australia v Belgium — ESPN and ESPN on Disney+
7.20pm AEST — Turkiye v Puerto Rico — ESPN on Disney+
10.20pm AEST — France v Nigeria — ESPN and ESPN on Disney+
10.20pm AEST — Korea v Hungary — ESPN on Disney+
Tuesday, September 8
1.40am AEST — Spain v Japan — ESPN on Disney+
1.40am AEST — Mali v Germany — ESPN on Disney+
4.35am AEST — Czechia v USA — ESPN and ESPN on Disney+
4.35am AEST — China v Italy — ESPN on Disney+
The supplied schedule states ESPN and ESPN2 are available through Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and Sky NZ.
