The 2026 Women’s U18 AfroBasket will feature 12 teams, with reigning champions Mali beginning their campaign against Benin as they attempt to win the continental title for a third consecutive time.
The tournament will be staged in Cote d’Ivoire, who return to the African basketball stage for this edition. Mali will start as the team to beat after dominating the previous two tournaments, but they face strong opposition across the first round.
Group B is set to feature an intriguing contest between Mali and Egypt, while Group C includes several fixtures likely to attract close attention, including Nigeria against Cameroon and Senegal against Tunisia.
The opening round begins on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, with two Group C matches:
Wednesday, 5 August 2026
13:30 – Tunisia v Nigeria
16:00 – Cameroon v Senegal
Four matches are scheduled for Thursday, including Mali’s first appearance and Cote d’Ivoire’s opening game on home soil.
Thursday, 6 August 2026
11:00 – Benin v Mali
13:30 – Morocco v Egypt
16:00 – Cote d’Ivoire v Central African Republic
18:30 – Uganda v Kenya
The second round of fixtures in Group C will be played on Friday, with Senegal facing Tunisia before Nigeria take on Cameroon.
Friday, 7 August 2026
13:30 – Senegal v Tunisia
16:00 – Nigeria v Cameroon
Saturday brings the busiest schedule of the opening phase, including Mali’s meeting with Morocco and a match between Cote d’Ivoire and Uganda.
Saturday, 8 August 2026
11:00 – Central African Republic v Kenya
13:30 – Egypt v Benin
16:00 – Cote d’Ivoire v Uganda
18:30 – Mali v Morocco
The Group C programme concludes on Sunday, when Cameroon meet Tunisia and Nigeria play Senegal.
Sunday, 9 August 2026
13:30 – Cameroon v Tunisia
16:00 – Nigeria v Senegal
The first round finishes on Monday, 10 August, with four further matches. Mali will face Egypt in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the stage, while Cote d’Ivoire will meet Kenya.
Monday, 10 August 2026
11:00 – Morocco v Benin
13:30 – Central African Republic v Uganda
16:00 – Kenya v Cote d’Ivoire
18:30 – Mali v Egypt
Mali’s campaign will therefore begin against Benin before the defending champions face Morocco and Egypt. Their objective is to retain the trophy and secure a third successive final victory, while Cote d’Ivoire will look to mark their return to the African competition with a strong performance on home territory.