Photo by: Caren Nicdao
Jaquez to Represent Mexico at FIBA 2026 World Cup Pre-Qualifier
August 16, 2024 | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES – Rising junior Gabriela Jaquez is set to compete with Mexico's national team at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournament from Aug. 19-25 in Mexico City, Mexico.
The seven-day tournament will be played at the Gimnasio Olímpico Juan de la Barrera, home of the 1968 Summer Olympic volleyball competitions, to determine the field at the 2026 World Cup. A total of 16 nations will punch their tickets through the Qualifying Tournaments and compete at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin, Germany.
Jaquez is coming off a strong sophomore season, providing 10 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game for the Bruins. She captured her first-career 30-point game when she had 30 points and 12 rebounds against Bellarmine on Nov. 12. The Camarillo, Calif., native had three double-doubles during the 2023-24 season and set new single-game career highs in points, rebounds, assists, 3-pointers and free throws made.
Each competing nation will play three group stage games before the semifinal round; the top two teams from each group will advance in hopes of securing a spot in the finals. The winner of the tournament will qualify for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments taking place in March 2026.
Jaquez and Team Mexico are in Group B alongside Montenegro, New Zealand and Mozambique. Group A consists of Korea, Mali, Czechia and Venezuela. See Mexico's schedule for the pre-qualifying tournament below.
Game Schedule
Monday, Aug. 19 – Mexico vs. Mozambique – 7:30 p.m. PT
Wednesday, Aug. 21 – New Zealand vs. Mexico – 7:30 p.m. PT
Thursday, Aug. 22 – Mexico vs. Montenegro – 7:30 p.m. PT
Saturday, Aug. 24 – Semifinals – Times TBD
Sunday, Aug. 25 – Final – 4 p.m. PT
The seven-day tournament will be played at the Gimnasio Olímpico Juan de la Barrera, home of the 1968 Summer Olympic volleyball competitions, to determine the field at the 2026 World Cup. A total of 16 nations will punch their tickets through the Qualifying Tournaments and compete at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin, Germany.
Jaquez is coming off a strong sophomore season, providing 10 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game for the Bruins. She captured her first-career 30-point game when she had 30 points and 12 rebounds against Bellarmine on Nov. 12. The Camarillo, Calif., native had three double-doubles during the 2023-24 season and set new single-game career highs in points, rebounds, assists, 3-pointers and free throws made.
Just felt like putting a Gabriela Jaquez highlight out there. ??@UCLAWBB ?? @UCLASoftball pic.twitter.com/gZp7XZu5XG
— UCLA on BTN (@UCLAOnBTN) May 14, 2024
Each competing nation will play three group stage games before the semifinal round; the top two teams from each group will advance in hopes of securing a spot in the finals. The winner of the tournament will qualify for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments taking place in March 2026.
Jaquez and Team Mexico are in Group B alongside Montenegro, New Zealand and Mozambique. Group A consists of Korea, Mali, Czechia and Venezuela. See Mexico's schedule for the pre-qualifying tournament below.
Game Schedule
Monday, Aug. 19 – Mexico vs. Mozambique – 7:30 p.m. PT
Wednesday, Aug. 21 – New Zealand vs. Mexico – 7:30 p.m. PT
Thursday, Aug. 22 – Mexico vs. Montenegro – 7:30 p.m. PT
Saturday, Aug. 24 – Semifinals – Times TBD
Sunday, Aug. 25 – Final – 4 p.m. PT
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