MIES (Switzerland) – The journey to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 gets even more exciting this week as the spotlight shifts to the road toward Berlin. While the world’s best players gather in Puerto Rico, China, France, and Türkiye, an equally vital team is preparing behind the scenes: the referees. In each of the four host cities, 11 top-level referees have started the final stage of their preparation through a busy 2.5-day Pre-Competition Camp. In each location, an experienced FIBA referee instructor leads the group to facilitate the highest possible officiating standards for these high-stakes games.

The schedule is both intense and collaborative, featuring deep-dive scouting discussions and technical mastery of Primary and Secondary Coverage. These sessions place a heavy emphasis on the "Patient and Cadence Whistle," ensuring that every call comes with the correct timing of the whistle. Training also includes hands-on simulations to master the protocol and usage of the Instant Replay System, a focus on collective responsibility to strengthen crew unity, and refined crew communication strategies that involve Technical Delegates and Table Officials.

On days two and three, the referee crews also move from the classroom to the basketball court for physical workouts and specialized technical “walk-throughs” in the afternoons. This active training ensures that the referees are as physically prepared as the athletes they oversee. As the crews finish their final teamwork exercises, the stage is set for a world-class display of officiating excellence. The goal of high standard begins on Wednesday, 11 March, when the first whistle blows to signal the start of the tournament.

FIBA