The WNBA season is on a brief hiatus, but the women’s basketball calendar is far from empty. The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup tips off Friday in Berlin, Germany, running through Sept. 13. While the tournament may not command the same spotlight as the Olympics, it stands as one of two premier international competitions. This year’s edition features 16 national teams representing North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The United States enters as the clear favorite, fielding a deep and talented roster. The reigning champions did receive a setback this week, however, when four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum were ruled out due to health concerns. Those absences do not change the mission: securing a fifth consecutive World Cup title and an overall twelfth.
Team USA opens group play Friday against China, followed by a Sunday matchup with Italy and a Monday contest against Czechia. Should the Americans win their group, they advance to the quarterfinals on Sept. 10, with semifinals scheduled for Sept. 12 and the championship and third-place games on Sept. 13.
Berlin will also showcase numerous other WNBA-affiliated players, with dozens of current and former league stars representing nations ranging from Australia to Türkiye.
This World Cup guide covers everything you need to know before tipoff. While not all rosters are finalized, we have highlighted current WNBA players on each squad, complete with their 2026 season statistics.
Jump to:
AUS | BEL | CHN | CZE | FRA | GER
HUN | ITA | JPN | KOR | MLI | NGR
PUR | ESP | TUR | USA | GROUPS
1. United States
Current WNBA players:
F/C Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever (16.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.3 BPG)
G Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings (20.5 PPG, 5.9 APG, 4.1 RPG)
G Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics (16.8 PPG, 4.3 APG, 1.2 SPG)
G Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever (22.5 PPG, 8.4 APG, 3.9 RPG)
F Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx (18.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.4 SPG)
F/G Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury (21.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.9 APG)
G Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas Aces (12.0 PPG, 6.8 APG, 1.4 SPG)
G Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream (18.3 PPG, 3.6 APG, 2.3 SPG)
F Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics (15.3 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 0.7 SPG)
F Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream (16.1 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 1.8 SPG)
F Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty (20.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.4 BPG)
G Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces (18.9 PPG, 6.6 APG, 4.4 RPG)
Outlook: The U.S. women’s national basketball team represents one of the most dominant dynasties in all of sports, with eight consecutive Olympic gold medals and four straight World Cup titles. The program has suffered only one loss at a major international competition since 1994, the 2006 World Championship semifinal against Russia, which resulted in a bronze finish. Team USA has since rattled off 30 straight wins in World Cup play.
Team USA schedule in Berlin
Sept 4 vs. China, 8:15 a.m. ET
Sept. 6 vs. Czechia, 2:45 p.m. ET
Sept. 7 vs. Italy, 2:45 p.m. ET
Sept. 10 Quarterfinals
Sept. 12 Semifinals
Sept. 13 Championship and third-place games
That is the legacy that newly installed national team director Sue Bird, senior national team coach Kara Lawson, and this youthful U.S. squad, featuring seven players under 27, bring to Berlin. Fans have long anticipated watching the likes of Clark, Bueckers, and Reese compete on the international stage as part of the senior national team. They received a glimpse during the World Cup qualifying tournament, where Team USA went 5-0 and won by an average margin of 42 points.
Yet between the demanding schedule, heightened competition, and pressure of representing the USA, the World Cup will present a far sterner test. USA Basketball’s youth movement faces an even greater challenge with Wilson, the reigning World Cup and Olympics MVP, and Plum sidelined. Still, the squad retains a core of battle-tested veterans in Stewart, Gray, Collier, Young, and Copper, who understand what it takes to win gold. — Alexa Philippou
2. France
Current WNBA players:
G Pauline Astier, New York Liberty (9.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.4 APG)
F Valeriane Ayayi, Phoenix Mercury (6.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.3 APG)
G Marine Johannes, New York Liberty (8.5 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.4 APG)
G Leila Lacan, Connecticut Sun (11.6 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 4.6 APG)
G Carla Leite, Portland Fire (15.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 6.3 APG)
C Dominique Malonga, Seattle Storm (17.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.5 BPG)
F Janelle Salaun, Golden State Valkyries (12.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.2 APG)
G Gabby Williams, Golden State Valkyries (14.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.2 APG)
Other notable players: C Marieme Badiane
Outlook: Widely regarded as the greatest threat to Team USA, France may be fielding its most talented roster ever, with eight active WNBA players, four of whom are headed to the postseason. France has been steadily building as an international contender for several years. The French narrowly missed toppling Team USA in the 2024 Olympic final in Paris, falling 67-66 behind former UConn standout Williams’ 19 points. France also captured Olympic silver in 2012 and bronze in 2021.
France’s lone World Cup medal is a bronze from 1953, the inaugural year of the tournament, but a podium finish is widely expected this time around. Malonga, the No. 2 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft who threw down a dunk at July’s All-Star Game, could be poised for a memorable World Cup showing. — Michael Voepel
3. Spain
Current WNBA players:
G Elena Buenavida, Minnesota Lynx (developmental player)
C Raquel Carrera, New York Liberty (1.4 PPG, 1.1 RPG, 0.3 APG)
F Maria Conde, Toronto Tempo (8.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.6 APG)
C Megan DiLeo, Portland Fire (13.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 0.6 BPG)
C Awa Fam, Seattle Storm (10.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 0.9 SPG)
G Alicia Florez, Washington Mystics (3.3 PPG, 2.0 APG, 0.6 SPG)
Other notable players: G Iyana Martin, G Maite Cazorla
Outlook: Spain’s international profile has been relatively muted in recent years. The Spanish medaled at the World Cup in 2010, 2014, and 2018, and claimed silver at the 2016 Olympics, but then failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and missed the podium in Paris.
Coming off a silver-medal finish at last year’s EuroBasket, and having given the USA its closest game at March’s qualifying tournament, Spain could be ready for a major statement in Berlin. The team is led by veteran Alba Torrens, the only player with prior World Cup experience, and features naturalized star DiLeo, a top-five scorer at the 2024 Olympics. Carrera has seen limited minutes with the Liberty but has been far more productive with her national team. Perhaps the most anticipated storyline, however, is the emergence of Spain’s young tandem of 20-year-old standouts in Storm rookie Fam and Martin, the Fire’s draft-and-stash first-round selection. — Philippou
4. Belgium
Current WNBA players:
G Julie Allemand, Toronto Tempo (6.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 5.6 APG)
C Kyara Linskens, Phoenix Mercury (3.0 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 0.7 BPG)
F Antonia Delaere, Minnesota Lynx (2.9 PPG, 0.7 RPG, 1.1 APG)
Other notable players: F Emma Meesseman, G Julie Vanloo, F Bethy Mununga
Outlook: Belgium should emerge as one of the powers of Group C alongside Australia. The Cats are coached by longtime former WNBA coach Mike Thibault, who won a title with the Washington Mystics in 2019 when Meesseman was named WNBA Finals MVP. Meesseman has logged nine seasons in the WNBA, most recently last year when she played 20 games, including the playoffs, with the New York Liberty. Vanloo appeared briefly with the Liberty this season, playing five games. This marks Allemand’s fourth WNBA season, and she has been a starter for the expansion Tempo. Belgium is making its third World Cup appearance, having finished fourth in 2018 and fifth in 2022. Belgium has not medaled at the Olympics but posted its best finish in Paris in 2024, falling in the bronze medal game. — Voepel
5. Germany
Current WNBA players:
F Frieda Buhner, Portland Fire (6.3 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 0.7 APG)
G Leonie Fiebich, New York Liberty (10.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.1 SPG)
C Luisa Geiselsoder, Portland Fire (4.5 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.3 APG)
F Nyara Sabally, Toronto Tempo (12.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 0.9 BPG)
Other notable players: F Emily Bessoir, F Lina Sontag, C Marie Gülich and G Alexis Peterson
Outlook: Just as in the Olympics, hosting the World Cup brings a unique blend of pressure and opportunity, and that holds true for Germany in what is just its second-ever World Cup appearance and first since 1998. Unfortunately, the Germans will be without star Satou Sabally, who has stepped away from basketball while recovering from the effects of her second concussion in eight months. It also remains unclear how healthy her sister, Nyara, will be. For Germany to capture its first podium finish at a major international competition, Fiebich will need an outstanding tournament after showcasing her value with the Liberty upon returning from injury. Expect players like Buhner and Geiselsoder to take on even bigger roles than they do stateside in Portland. Germany is coached by Olaf Lange, the current Tempo associate head coach and husband of Sandy Brondello. — Philippou
6. China
Current WNBA players:
C Han Xu, New York Liberty (6.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 0.7 BPG)
Outlook: China should be the toughest challenger to Team USA in Group D, and the two squads meet in the tournament opener for both. But the team absorbed a blow Wednesday when 6-foot-7 Dallas Wings center Li Yueru announced on social media that she would not compete in Berlin because her passport was lost in the mail.
The United States and China faced off twice at the 2022 World Cup, with the U.S. women winning by 14 in group play and by 22 in the gold medal match. That result still represented progress for the Chinese, marking the first time since 1994 that they earned a medal at a major international competition (both were silvers).
China stumbled at the 2024 Olympics, finishing ninth, before clinching its World Cup berth at this spring’s qualifying tournament in Wuhan. This roster features several new faces compared to the 2022 squad, headlined by 7-foot-2, 19-year-old Zhang Ziyu. But she is not the only player who could trouble the USA, as the more experienced Han Xu (6-11) adds additional size in the frontcourt. — Philippou
7. Australia
Current WNBA players:
F Chloe Bibby, Minnesota Lynx (2.3 PPG, 0.7 RPG, 0.7 BPG)
G Isobel Borlase, Atlanta Dream (4.6 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 1.0 APG)
C Ezi Magbegor, Seattle Storm (6.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.2 BPG)
G Jade Melbourne, Seattle Storm (9.5 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 3.9 APG)
F Alanna Smith, Dallas Wings (6.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.0 APG)
G Miela Sowah, Golden State Valkyries (0.3 PPG, 0.8 RPG)
F Stephanie Talbot, Las Vegas Aces (3.5 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.0 SPG)
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Other notable players: F Alex Fowler, G Alex Wilson
Outlook: Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb, captain of the Australian team, was forced to withdraw from the World Cup last week because of a lingering knee injury. It is a significant blow to the Opals in terms of leadership and scoring, and a heartbreaking turn for Whitcomb, who is 38. She was replaced by Sowah, 26. Sandy Brondello, who won WNBA titles with the Mercury (2014) and New York Liberty (2024) and is now with the Toronto Tempo, serves as Australia’s coach.
The Opals began to emerge as an international power in women’s basketball in the 1980s and claimed their first World Cup medal with a bronze in 1998. Their crowning achievement came in 2006, when they defeated Russia for the gold medal after the Russians had upset the United States in the semifinals. They also captured bronze in 2002, 2014, and 2022, and silver in 2018. Australia’s six total World Cup medals rank third on the all-time medal chart. The Aussies also have six Olympic medals: three silvers and three bronzes. — Voepel
8. Italy
Current WNBA players:
G Costanza Verona, Dallas Wings (developmental player)
F Cecilia Zandalasini, Golden State Valkyries (8.8 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.8 APG)
Other notable players: F Lorela Cubaj
Outlook: Italy is enjoying a resurgence on the FIBA stage. Last year, the team won its first EuroBasket medal since 1995 by beating France for the bronze medal, and now this World Cup marks the country’s first appearance at a major international competition since the 1996 Olympics. Led by Zandalasini, the Italians lost 93-59 to the United States at the qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico, but went 4-1 overall at the event, including an upset of Spain the day after facing the U.S. women, largely the same squad Italy has brought to Berlin. Italy faces a difficult road, though, having to take on both the USA and China, the 2022 World Cup silver medalist, in the group phase. — Philippou
9. Nigeria
Current WNBA players:
G/F Elizabeth Balogun, New York Liberty (developmental player)
F Amy Okonkwo, Portland Fire (4.3 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 0.3 APG)
Other notable players: F Murjanatu Musa, C Victoria Macaulay, G Ezinne Kalu
Outlook: This marks the fourth time Nigeria has qualified for the World Cup, although it withdrew in 2022. That decision was deeply disappointing for both the Nigerian players and FIBA. The move came from the Nigerian government, which opted in May 2022 to withdraw all its basketball teams from international competition while restructuring the sport’s governance. Nigeria earned its World Cup berth this time by winning the 2025 AfroBasket championship. The team also played in the World Cup qualifying tournament in France in March, but lost three of five games. Nigeria’s best World Cup finish is eighth, achieved in 2018. The team’s best Olympic finish is also eighth, posted in 2024. — Voepel
10. Japan
Current WNBA players:
G Mai Yamamoto, Las Vegas Aces (5.8 PPG, 1.8 APG, 0.8 SPG)
Other notable players: G Rui Machida, G Kokoro Tanaka, C Ramu Tokashiki
Outlook: American basketball fans have come to appreciate Japan’s entertaining style of play in recent years, particularly since the showdown against the USA in the 2020 Olympic gold medal game. Japan is known for speed, movement, and 3-point shooting, which means the team can beat anyone when shots are falling and lose to anyone when they are not. A lack of size is often an Achilles’ heel, with just one player, Tokashiki, listed above 6 feet.
Still, watch for the likes of Yamamoto, a midseason addition to the Aces, as well as Golden State draft pick Tanaka to make a splash on the perimeter. After the high of clinching silver at the Tokyo Olympics, Japan finished ninth at the 2022 World Cup, 12th at the Paris Olympics, and barely qualified for Berlin. Corey Gaines, the coach of the 2009 Phoenix Mercury championship squad, took over as head coach in early 2025. Pressure is mounting for Japan to recapture its form heading into 2030, when it will host the next World Cup. — Philippou
11. Hungary
Current WNBA players:
F Dorka Juhász, Minnesota Lynx (3.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.2 APG)
Other notable players: G Yvonne Turner
Outlook: While France is the heavy favorite in Group B, Hungary could create some noise behind Juhász. That is especially plausible with JiSu Park out for Korea and Nigeria looking somewhat inconsistent heading into the tournament. Hungary is making its sixth World Cup appearance but first since 1998. The team’s best finish was fifth in 1957. — Voepel
12. Korea
Current WNBA players:
G Jihyun Park, Los Angeles Sparks (2.2 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 0.5 APG)
Outlook: Korea is traditionally known as a strong outside shooting team. The squad will need to lean even more heavily on its guards with center JiSu Park, who played three seasons with the Las Vegas Aces, sidelined due to an ankle injury. Korea is making its 18th World Cup appearance, having played in every tournament except the first two in 1953 and 1957. Korea has captured two silver medals, in 1967 and 1979. The team has also finished fourth three times, most recently in 2002. Korea owns one Olympic medal, a silver in 1984. — Voepel
13. Türkiye
Current WNBA players:
G/F Kennedy Burke, Connecticut Sun (8.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.4 APG)
Other notable players: G Sevgi Uzun
Outlook: Türkiye will learn a great deal about its prospects from its opener against Belgium. This is Türkiye’s third World Cup appearance; the team finished fourth in 2014, when it hosted the event, and 10th in 2018. In her seventh WNBA season, Burke is enjoying a career-best campaign. — Voepel
14. Mali
Current WNBA players:
F Sika Kone, Atlanta Dream (1.7 PPG, 1.0 RPG)
Outlook: Mali is making its third World Cup appearance, where it hopes to improve on an 11th-place finish in 2022. The program has established itself as the second-best team out of Africa behind Nigeria, which beat Mali in the 2025 AfroBasket final. Mali followed that up with a promising showing during the qualifying tournament in March, defeating Czechia and narrowly losing to Brazil to clinch a spot in Berlin. Maimouna Haidara was the team’s leading scorer in Wuhan, followed by the Dream’s Kone; both will need to deliver standout performances to pull off upsets in Group A. — Philippou
15. Czechia
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Current WNBA players:
G Eliska Joklova, Minnesota Lynx (1.7 PPG, 1.1 APG, 1.0 RPG)
Outlook: Czechia returns to the World Cup after last appearing in the event in 2014; in 2010, it served as the host nation and claimed silver. The team’s return this year has already sparked some concern. Czechia barely qualified for the World Cup after a tepid qualifying tournament and has suffered significant injury setbacks to two key players: Emma Cechova tore her ACL three games into her season with the Minnesota Lynx following a promising start, while Julia Reisingerova is also unavailable due to injury. On top of that, Czechia must face the United States, China, and a surging Italy squad in group play. It will need exceptional outings from the likes of Lynx rookie Joklova (née Hamzova), Veronika Vorackova, and Petra Holesinska to stay competitive. — Philippou
16. Puerto Rico
Current WNBA players: None
Other notable players: G Arella Guirantes, C Imani McGee-Stafford
Outlook: Host Puerto Rico finished fourth at the qualifying tournament won by the United States in March in San Juan. A challenging group awaits in Berlin, especially with matchups against Australia and Belgium. This is Puerto Rico’s third World Cup appearance, having finished 16th in 2018 and eighth in 2022. Guirantes played two seasons in the league, most recently in 2023. McGee-Stafford played four seasons in the WNBA, most recently in 2019. Puerto Rico has competed twice in the Olympics. — Voepel
Groups
Sixteen teams will compete in the FIBA World Cup in Berlin, Germany, with 36 games being played over 10 days from Sept. 4 to Sept. 13. The first-place team in each group advances to the quarterfinals; the second- and third-place teams will qualify for a single-game elimination format to determine the remaining quarterfinalists.
2026 FIBA World Cup participants
Group A: Japan, Spain, Nigeria, Puerto Rico
Group B: Hungary, Korea, Germany, Italy
Group C: Belgium, Australia, Mali, France
Group D: USA, Czechia, Türkiye, China
