MIES (Switzerland) – As the basketball world turns its eyes toward China, France, Puerto Rico, and Türkiye for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments, a critical elite team is already hard at work. In each host city, 11 top-level referees have touched down to undergo an intensive 2.5-day Pre-Competition Camp – the final hurdle before the first whistle blows.

The goal? Absolute precision. We sat down with FIBA Referee Instructor Cristiano Maranho from Brazil, who is working with the officiating team in Lyon, France, to understand what happens behind these closed doors.

Achieving Global Alignment

"The main objective is alignment," Maranho explains. With referees arriving from diverse leagues worldwide, the camp serves as a tactical reset following the Pre-Competition Online Program. The camp ensures every referee is synced with the specific criteria and protocols established by FIBA. It isn't just about rules; it’s about "protecting the image of the game" by defining clear areas of responsibility and maintaining consistency in the game.

From Coach to Evaluator

Maranho describes his role as a dual-phase mission. During the Pre-Competition Camp, he acts as a referee coach, guiding referees through high-pressure simulations to ensure they interpret guidelines correctly. Once the tournament begins, his role shifts also to an evaluator.

"During the games, we analyze performance against those same guidelines," Maranho says. "After the final buzzer, we provide feedback on what to maintain and what to improve for the next game."
Ultimately, the Pre-Competition Camp ensures that as the world’s best teams will compete for a spot in the World Cup, the officiating remains consistent. By aligning every referee with FIBA’s global standards, the camp guarantees that while players provide the magic, the referees provide the integrity of the game.

FIBA