China Secures World Cup Berth with 83-71 Victory Over Brazil
The Chinese women’s national basketball team clinched a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup after defeating Brazil 83-71 in their final qualifying match on March 16, 2026. The win in Wuhan, China, capped off a successful qualifying campaign for the team, which finished with a 4-1 record.
While the qualification was expected, the team, currently undergoing a period of transition with modern players, recognizes there’s still operate to be done to compete with the world’s elite. China faced a tough test against Belgium, currently ranked fifth in the world, falling 83-68 despite previous successes against them in the Olympics and the 2022 World Cup.
Head coach Gong Luming emphasized the importance of gaining experience against top competition, stating that the qualifying tournament was a valuable opportunity to develop the team. “The qualifying tournament is to temper the team and hope to play more against strong teams,” he said, according to reports.
China’s frontcourt, featuring a strong trio of centers Han Xu, Li Yueru, and Zhang Ziyu, was praised as “world-class” by Gong Luming. Zhang Ziyu, standing at 2.26 meters, played a key role in the victory over Brazil. However, the team needs to improve its ball movement, player positioning, and overall coordination between its inside and outside game.
The team is navigating the integration of players like Li Yueru and Han Xu, who recently returned from overseas leagues, into the team dynamic. The return of veteran players like Yang Liwei and Huang Siqing has also begun to shift, opening opportunities for newer faces to gain experience on the international stage.
Following the qualification, the focus shifts to preparation for the World Cup and the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics. The team will be looking to build on this momentum and continue to close the gap with the world’s top teams.
