Looking to avenge their heartbreaking semi-final loss from the previous Asian Games, a laser-focused Chinese squad asserted dominance early. Levering their massive size advantage, China controlled the paint and punished the Philippines’ defense to construct a commanding 66-30 lead by halftime.
A depleted Gilas roster—competing without star naturalized player Justin Brownlee and key frontline anchors like Kai Sotto and Dwight Ramos—struggled to match China’s physical execution on both ends of the floor. Despite brief offensive sparks in the second half led by Sedrick Barefield, the Philippines had no answer for Team Dragons’ relentless transition play and inside-outside scoring depth. China pushed their advantage to as high as 45 points in the final quarter, comfortably securing a 3-0 record to sweep Group C.
The 44-point defeat dropped the Philippines to 1-3 in group play, bringing an early and painful end to their Asian Games title defense.
Team USA asserted their international basketball dominance once again, overcoming an early 14-point deficit to defeat France 97–79 in Berlin and capture their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Gold.
Team USA asserted their international basketball dominance once again, overcoming an early 14-point deficit to defeat France 97–79 in Berlin and capture their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Gold.
The French national team came out firing in the gold medal game, capitalizing on a hot shooting start to take a commanding 31–17 lead early in the second quarter. However, the Americans quickly found their rhythm. Behind a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Caitlin Clark before halftime, Team USA cut the deficit to 45–43. The second half belonged entirely to the U.S., as they unleashed a 30–12 surge in the third quarter to pull away permanently.
The game’s top performer was Team USA captain Breanna Stewart. Delivering a stellar double-double performance, Stewart dominated the court with a game-high 22 points and 10 rebounds. Her elite leadership and clutch scoring sparked the U.S. comeback, earning her tournament MVP honors for the second time in her decorated career. Jackie Young provided vital secondary scoring with 18 points, while Dominique Malonga led France with 21 points in their silver-medal effort.
Team USA will have four days to rest before players return to their respective teams to finish the remaining WNBA regular season games on September 18.
The United States national team secured a hard-fought 76-66 victory over Spain in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, advancing to its fifth consecutive championship game.
Spain came out aggressive, leaping to a 11-4 lead in the opening quarter and utilizing a physical, high-pressure defense that disrupted the American offense throughout the first half. Led by standout performances from María Conde and Iyana Martín—who each scored 17 points—Spain kept pace with the four-time defending champions, forcing a 58-58 deadlock entering the final quarter.
The U.S. turned the tide in the fourth quarter with an intense defensive push, holding Spain to just eight points while scoring 18. Head coach Kara Lawson’s squad launched a decisive 12-2 run to build a 10-point lead with five minutes remaining, creating enough of a cushion to secure the victory.
Full Game highlights;
Breanna Stewart led the Americans with 16 points, while Kahleah Copper added 13 off the bench. The win extended the U.S. World Cup winning streak to 35 consecutive games and set up a gold-medal matchup against France. Spain will face Germany for the bronze medal.
Team USA continued its march toward a fifth consecutive title at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, delivering a clinical 108–56 quarterfinal victory over Hungary in Berlin.
From the opening tip, head coach Kara Lawson’s squad set an uncompromising pace. Breanna Stewart opened the scoring with a signature fadeaway jumper, sparking an early 13–7 run. The Americans never looked back, putting together a 15–0 run in the first half to establish complete control. Behind an incredible 20-for-26 shooting display early on, Team USA built a 59–30 halftime lead—marking the highest-scoring quarterfinal half in FIBA Women’s World Cup history.
Hungary, competing in the World Cup top eight for the first time in 40 years behind Minnesota Lynx standout Dorka Juhász, struggled to handle the Americans’ overwhelming depth and high-pressure defense. Team USA set two tournament quarterfinal records on the day: most points scored (108) and most total assists (31).
Napheesa Collier anchored the victory with an efficient performance on both ends of the floor, earning Player of the Game honors. She scored a game-high 19 points and set the early tempo by pouring in 10 of those points in the first quarter alone. Collier spearheaded a balanced American attack that featured all 12 roster members on the scoresheet, supported by strong outings from Caitlin Clark (10 points, 9 assists) and Kahleah Copper (10 points).
Full game highlights:
With the quarterfinal win secured, Team USA advances to its 11th straight FIBA Women’s World Cup semifinal. They will take on Spain, who secured their spot after defeating Australia 89–66 in their quarterfinal clash. The marquee semifinal matchup takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 09:00 PM local time.
In a rare shift at the top, FIBA dropped Team USA to the No. 2 spot in FIBA’s latest Women’s World Cup Power Rankings; Volume 5, ceding the top position to an surging French national team.
The slight drop for the Americans serves as a reaction to their tightest tournament test yet—a narrow 55–52 victory over Italy. Marking the program’s lowest scoring tally since the introduction of the three-point line in 1984, the defensive grind highlighted lingering chemistry adjustments for the star-studded squad. Meanwhile, France climbed to No. 1 behind dominant defensive displays and record-setting offensive efficiency from beyond the arc.
Despite dropping one spot, Team USA remains the formidable tournament favorite to capture gold in Berlin. Headlined by elite talent and deep rotation options, the Americans bounced back immediately with a 105–64 blowout win over Czechia to close out group play.
Here are the top 10 of the Women’s World Cup Power Rankings; Volume 5;
France
United States
Belgium
Spain
Australia
Germany
China
Japan
Hungary
Italy
While FIBA’s subjective rankings focus on current momentum, Team USA’s unmatched two-way depth makes them the gold standard heading into the knockout stage. This drop in ranking could motivate a squad that has held FIBA World Cup gold since 2010. The quarter-finals of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup kick off tomorrow, September 10, when Team USA faces Hungary—with a potential rematch against Italy looming in the semi-finals.
Team USA delivered an explosive performance at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, cruising past Czechia 105–64 on Monday. The decisive victory capped a 3–0 sweep of Group D and extended the Americans’ tournament winning streak to 33 games, sending them directly into the quarterfinals.
Bouncing back from a cold shooting night against Italy, the U.S. offense exploded early, shooting 63.6% inside the arc in the first half to build a commanding 57–33 halftime lead. Breanna Stewart led the charge with a stellar all-around stat line—19 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Six U.S. players reached double figures, highlighting the team’s elite depth and ball movement.
Czechia fought gamely but was ultimately overpowered by the Americans’ speed and size. Eliska Joklova was the lone bright spot for Czechia, scoring a team-high 19 points alongside 3 rebounds and 2 assists in the loss that eliminated her squad from the tournament.
With group play wrapped up, Team USA awaits the winner of the Hungary vs. Japan matchup to determine their opponent for the win-or-go-home quarterfinals.
For three quarters at the Berlin Arena, the Italian national team executed a defensive masterclass, threatening one of the most stunning upsets in international basketball history.
Entering the matchup, much of the chatter around Team USA centered on its high-powered, “young and turnt” core featuring the likes of Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Aliyah Boston, and Angel Reese. However, Italy’s structured, physical, half-court defense systematically disrupted that momentum. Italian guards Matilde Villa and Costanza Verona compressed the floor, forced tough decision-making, and slowed Team USA’s transition game to a crawl. Combined with disciplined interior defense from Sara Madera and Olbis Andre, who combined for 15 points and 11 rebounds, Italy dragged the heavy tournament favorites into an uncomfortably low-scoring affair.
When USA’s younger contingent struggled to find standard perimeter rhythm—shooting just 29% from the field and 1-for-12 from three-point range as a team—Italy capitalized. Led by a game-high 14-point effort from Cecilia Zandalasini, whose tough shot-making anchored the Italian offense across more than 30 minutes of action, Italy launched a third-quarter surge that eventually yielded a 50–49 lead with just 3:21 remaining in the game.
That was when championship experience took over.
With their 32-game World Cup winning streak on the line, USA’s veteran core stepped up to anchor a decisive 7–0 run in the final minutes. Chelsea Gray took control of the offense, finishing with 7 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds while scoring a crucial late jumper that pushed the lead to two possessions. Breanna Stewart delivered the go-ahead basket with under three minutes remaining, capping off a stat line of 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Alongside steady defense and transition hustle from Kahleah Copper, who contributed 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals, as well as team-leading scoring from Jackie Young with 10 points, the American veterans held Italy to just two points over the final four minutes to seal a grueling 55–52 victory.
Full game highlights;
With the hard-fought victory, Team USA officially clinched the top spot in Group D and punched their ticket directly into the Quarterfinals, resting up before their upcoming knockout match against the second-placed finisher of Group C. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Italy remains in strong contention to advance to the knockout stages. Having proved they can contend with the world’s standard-bearers, the Italians turn their immediate focus to a high-stakes final group stage showdown against China, where a win will lock up their place in the quarterfinal round.
While Italy revealed a blueprint on how to slow down Team USA’s explosive next generation, the final frame proved why veteran poise remains the ultimate equalizer on the international stage.
Team USA opened its campaign at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin with a decisive 94–61 group-stage victory over China at the Max-Schmeling-Halle.
The Americans controlled the game early, establishing a 27–14 advantage in the opening quarter and utilizing quick ball movement and high-intensity defense to keep China at bay.
Caitlin Clark led the charge for Team USA, posting a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists. Operating as the engine of the offense, Clark shared team-high scoring honors alongside Paige Bueckers and Rhyne Howard—who also added 14 points apiece—while setting the pace with her playmaking.
China leaned heavily on its interior presence to stay competitive, featuring 7-foot-3 center Zhang Ziyu. However, veteran WNBA center Han Xu delivered China’s standout performance, posting a team-high double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds to anchor their frontcourt.
Despite China’s frontcourt size, Team USA’s transition play and bench depth proved overwhelming across four quarters. The victory extended the Americans’ long-standing winning streak in senior FIBA World Cup play and got their tournament off to a 1–0 start in Group D.
In a high-stakes clash during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas erased an early 13-point deficit to defeat long-time regional rival Iran, 68–56, before a raucous crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Philippines turned a slow start into a decisive victory, driven by a dominant second-half defensive lockdown and a late 14–2 run.
Kai Sotto served as the ultimate game-changer for Gilas, posting a monster double-double with 13 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, and a game-high 22 efficiency rating while dominating the paint. Dwight Ramos sparked the initial comeback by scoring seven consecutive points late in the second quarter, finishing tied with Juan Gómez de Liaño for a team-high 16 points along with 7 rebounds and 2 steals.
The victory improves Gilas Pilipinas to a 4–4 record in Group E. More importantly, it narrows the gap between the Philippines and the upper-tier teams—putting Gilas just one win behind both Jordan and Iran (5–3). Psychologically, sweeping this home window provides momentum and proves the squad’s tactical execution under pressure.
Full game highlights
Gilas Path to Direct World Cup Qualification
To earn direct entry into the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar, Gilas Pilipinas must navigate the following conditions in the upcoming qualifier windows;
Secure a Top-3 Group E Finish: Asia-Oceania gets 7 direct slots outside host Qatar. Gilas must overtake either Jordan or Iran to grab the 3rd seed, or finish as the highest-ranked 4th-place team across Group E and Group F.
Capitalize on Crossover Matches: Gilas must sweep remaining matchups against lower-ranked teams like Syria and steal key road games against Iran and Jordan in upcoming windows.
Protect Point Differential: FIBA tiebreakers rely heavily on head-to-head records and net point margins, making every point crucial in close Group E standings.
The fifth window of the second round is set from the November 27th thru the 30th, where the Philippines will face Syria and Iran.
Gilas Pilipinas pulled off a dramatic 82-81 overtime victory against Jordan to open the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Overcoming an 18-point deficit, the Philippines relied on sheer grit and dominant rebounding to force extra time. Late in overtime, Kevin Quiambao knocked down a go-ahead three-pointer with 13 seconds remaining to put Gilas ahead by one. On Jordan’s final possession, Abdullah Olajuwon drove for a potential game-winning layup, but Kai Sotto swatted the shot away as time expired, sealing the emotional victory and snapping a four-game losing streak for the national team.
Sotto stood out as the undisputed top performer of the game. Returning to the national lineup, the 7-foot-3 center put up a monster double-double with 18 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks in 36 minutes of action. CJ Perez added crucial scoring depth with 16 points, while Dwight Ramos and Kevin Quiambao contributed 14 points each. Sotto’s dominance inside and final defensive heroics breathed vital life into the country’s World Cup qualification campaign.
Full gamehighlights
Entering the second round with a sub-.500 record, Gilas would have been placed in a severe hole with a loss against Jordan. The win improves their record to 3-4 in Group E, keeping them within striking distance of the top qualifying spots for Qatar 2027. Gilas Pilipinas will face off against Iran on August 30 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, while Jordan plays Australia at the same venue on the same day.
USA Basketball announced the roster for the 2026 USA Basketball Women’s National Team, which will compete at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, set for Sept. 4–13.
“I’m so excited to announce the 2026 USA Basketball Women’s National Team,” said USA Basketball Women’s National Team managing director Sue Bird. “This is an incredibly talented group that has earned the opportunity to compete in Berlin. Wearing a USA jersey is a privilege, and I know these 12 players will embrace that responsibility as we go after another gold medal. I can’t wait to see what this team accomplishes together.”
Here’s the official 12-player roster announced August 6, 2026 for the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, Germany (September 4–13):
Aliyah Boston
Paige Bueckers
Caitlin Clark
Napheesa Collier
Kahleah Copper
Chelsea Gray
Rhyne Howard
Kelsey Plum
Angel Reese
Breanna Stewart
A’ja Wilson
Jackie Young
Clark, Bueckers, Reese, and Boston will be making their debut in a major international competition at the senior level, while Wilson and Stewart bring the most international experience on the roster. Notable names who didn’t make the cut include Olivia Miles, Sabrina Ionescu, and Alyssa Thomas.
The WNBA will be on break from Monday, August 31 through September 16 for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
Australia never trailed and led for 38:05 as they delivered a blowout win over the Philippines, 92-49, on July 6, 2026, at RAC Arena in Perth in the 1st Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers. The hosts seized control with a dominant opening quarter, built a double-digit cushion by halftime, and continued to widen the gap in the second half, outscoring the Philippines in both the third and fourth quarters to put the game to bed.
Despite the blowout, Gilas Pilipinas (2-4) will advance to the second round of qualifiers starting this August, where they face tougher opponents. They carry over their record, leaving them with little margin for error. Meanwhile, the undefeated Boomers (6-0) comfortably march forward, safely securing the top spot in Group E for the second round.
Reuben Te Rangi delivered 22 points as New Zealand survived a double-overtime thriller, edging the Philippines 106-102 on July 3, 2026 at Spark Arena in Auckland in a 1st Round game of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers. The Tall Blacks led for much of the night, but the game remained tightly contested, stretching through regulation and both extra periods before a winner finally emerged. New Zealand ultimately withstood a fierce late charge to seal the deal in front of their home fans.
Here’s the full game highlights between New Zealand Tall Blacks and Gilas Pilipinas;
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Gilas Pilipinas will face the Australians in the First Round of Group A this July 6th at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
The New Zealand Tall Blacks will host Guam at the Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, on July 6th as well.
Here’s the official roster of the 2026 USA Men’s World Cup Qualifying Team;
Pedro Bradshaw
Izaiah Brockington
Torrey Craig
Jacob Gilyard
Dewan Hernandez
Jay Huff
Mike James
Orlando Robinson
Matt Ryan
Terry Taylor
Jarrod Uthoff
Gabe York
The team will be lead by Head coach Stephen Silas with assistants Marlon Garnett, Clay Moser and Patrick Mutombo.
The USA are schedule to take on Dominican Republic in Santo Domingo this July 3rd. The squad will then travel to Zacatecas, Mexico, with the game scheduled to tip off at 10 p.m. ET on July 6th.
With the USA Basketball Women’s National Team, winning is the only thing that matters.
Follow the #usabwnt on its mission at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan. Puerto Rico, as the team ushered in a new era with a handful of senior team debuts.
USA Basketball just announced the 15 players who will participate in a training camp set for April 1-3 in Phoenix.
A’ja Wilson
Azura Stevens
Brittney Sykes
Cameron Brink
JuJu Watkins
Kayla Thornton
Mikayla Blakes
Monique Billings
Napheesa Collier
Paige Bueckers
Rae Burrell
Rickea Jackson
Sabrina Ionescu
Stefanie Dolson
Veronica Burton
2025-28 USA Basketball Women’s National Team head coach Kara Lawson (Duke University) will lead training camp and will be assisted by court coaches Niele Ivey (Notre Dame), Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries), Shea Ralph (Vanderbilt University), Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury) and Stephanie White (Indiana Fever).
USA Women’s National Team managing director Sue Bird is set to evaluate the current roster pool ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin. This assessment will include players from the recent qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico as the U.S. prepares to pursue its fifth consecutive gold medal from September 4–13.
Watch the evolution of Caitlin Clark from age 19 to 24. From her early days as a young scorer to becoming a complete floor general, her growth is undeniable.
These highlights show how her shooting, playmaking, and control of the game have reached another level.
At 19, she was already special… but at 24, she’s a superstar. Her range, vision, and confidence have transformed her into one of the best players in the game.
FIBA previously released a 10-mins highlight reel if Caitlin Clark.
Watch the BEST of Caitlin Clark in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments. From deep threes to elite playmaking, Clark controlled the game like a true floor general, showcasing her full offensive arsenal. This marks her first senior FIBA competition, and she’s already making a massive impact.
FIBA also named her as the MVP of the Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament.
Despite starting only in just one game, WNBA Star Caitlin Clark is named as the MVP of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament.
She posted the best average efficiency for her team (14.6), was the second-best scorer for the USA with 11.6 points (52.9 percent shooting), and recorded a tournament-best 6.4 assists.
You can visit Caitlin Clark’s FIBA Player Profile for more stats.
The U.S. Women’s National Team officially punched their ticket to the 2026 FIBA World Cup with an exclamation point, grinding out a hard-fought 84–70 victory over a resilient Spain. The win over the “pesky” Spaniards in their final qualifying match, the Americans finished the tournament with a flawless 5–0 record, proving they remain the gold standard of women’s international basketball.
From the opening tip, Spain’s signature defensive pressure disrupted the U.S. rhythm, leading to eight lead changes and 3 times that both team tied. Spain was led by the interior duo of Megan Gustafson and Raquel Carrera, who each dropped 15 points to keep the contest within striking distance. However, the depth of the U.S. roster eventually wore down the Spanish frontline, building a 12 point lead by the end of the first half and a 14-point margin at the start of the 4th qtr.
The momentum shifted permanently in the third quarter thanks to the explosive play of Kahleah Copper, who finished as the game’s leading scorer with 20 points. Her ability to attack the rim blew the game open, while veteran Kelsey Plum provided much-needed stability with 18 points, including a critical 11–0 solo run that silenced the Spanish bench.
Defensively, Dearica Hamby was the anchor, contributing 14 points and a game-high three steals that fueled the American transition game. Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark—who was ultimately named Tournament MVP—controlled the tempo with seven assists and a highlight-reel block, ensuring the U.S. maintained its composure during Spain’s final fourth-quarter push.
With this undefeated cycle complete, the U.S. now shifts its focus toward the World Cup in Berlin this September. The team’s coach Nate Tibbetts’ squad heads into the main event not just as favorites, but as a battle-tested unit that has proven it can handle the heat when the stakes are highest.
The USA Women’s National Team stayed undefeated in the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers after a commanding win over New Zealand in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The victory keeps the U.S. at the top of Group A as they prepare for the World Cup in Berlin this September.
The Americans took control early with a fast-paced offense. Star guards Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers led the scoring, while Angel Reese controlled the boards with dominant rebounding. New Zealand’s Ella Toefaeono and Bec Pizzey played hard in the paint, but they couldn’t overcome the United States’ aggressive defensive pressure.
Coach Kara Lawson relied on her entire roster, showing that the U.S. bench is just as strong as the starters. Although the U.S. had already earned a spot in the World Cup by winning Olympic gold in 2024, this game proved their younger players are ready for the international stage. For New Zealand, the matchup provided valuable experience against the world’s best team.
U.S. Women’s National Team will face Spain on the 17th March, for their final game for the qualifier, while New Zealand will look to bounce back against the Puerto Ricans.
The U.S. Women’s National Team continued its dominant run at the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Puerto Rico, defeating Italy 93–59. Despite Italy’s undefeated start to the tournament, they were no match for the Americans’ clinical shooting and suffocating defensive pressure.
The U.S. shot a staggering 52.4% from beyond the arc, Kahleah Copper lead the Americans with 15 points and Chelsea Gray’s masterful playmaking (8 assists). Young stars Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers wowed the crowd in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 points each to seal the victory.
Defensively, the Americans held Italy to just 37.3% shooting, neutralizing threats like Cecilia Zandalasini. While the U.S. has already secured a World Cup berth as AmeriCup champions, this 3–0 start in San Juan, Puerto Rico, reinforces their status as global dominance in Women’s basketball. Italy (2–1) now looks to rebound against Spain to secure their spot in Berlin, while the Women’s USA Team will face New Zealand.
The USA Women’s National Team continued their dominant run in the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, defeating host nation Puerto Rico 91–48 in San Juan. Playing before a sold-out crowd at “El Choli,” the Americans never trailed, establishing a commanding 46–19 lead by halftime.
Paige Bueckers led the offensive charge with 16 points, while Angel Reese anchored the interior, recording a double-double with 10 points and a record-breaking 13 rebounds. After a double-double game, Caitlin Clark had 8 points and 2 assists with 18:37 playing time.
Despite a gritty defensive effort from Puerto Rico, the USA’s depth and size proved overwhelming. This victory improves Team USA to 2–0 in the tournament as they solidify their path toward the 2026 World Cup.
Here are some game highlights;
Paige Bueckers was named as the Player of the Game
The USA Women’s National Team dominated Senegal with a 110-46 victory to open the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Rhyne Howard led with 21 points, while Caitlin Clark impressed in her senior debut with 17 points and 12 assists, securing Kara Lawson’s first win as head coach.
This is basically the 1992 Dream Team. It’s not a matter of whether they’ll win, but by how much. Their next opponent is Puerto Rico, who will have home-court advantage, but I believe it will be much like the Senegal game. The real test will be their last three games: Italy, New Zealand, and Spain.
The upcoming 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament will be broadcast by TNT after the network acquired the exclusive U.S. English language broadcast rights to World-Class FIBA Men’s and Women’s Tournaments.
TNT Sports is the new home for FIBA Basketball 🏀🔥
Catch games as early as March 11th-17th for the Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament across TNT, truTV, & HBO Max! pic.twitter.com/z3ruzwXqCx
While the Americans have technically already qualified for the World Cup, these matchups against international powerhouses like Spain and Italy serve as a high-stakes proving ground for a squad looking to refine its chemistry before heading to Germany this September 2026.
Both Aliyah Boston (Indian Fever) and Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics) are out of U.S. roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament. They will be replaced by Monique Billings (Golden State Valkyries) and Rae Burrell (Los Angeles Sparks).
The pair will replace Aliyah Boston and Sonia Citron, who are no longer able to compete in the tournament that will take place in San Juan. Boston missed the Unrivaled playoffs with what was described as a right lower extremity injury. Citron missed the end of the regular season of Unrivaled with the same injury designation as Boston.
Billings was part of the 2017 USA under-23 national team that was undefeated at the Four Nations Tournament. Burrell will be making her U.S. competitive debut.
Here’s the new 12 player roster for 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament;
Monique Billings
Paige Bueckers
Rae Burrell
Caitlin Clark
Kahleah Copper
Chelsea Gray
Dearica Hamby
Rhyne Howard
Kiki Iriafen
Kelsey Plum
Angel Reese
Jackie Young
2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament will be broadcast by TNT Sports and you can checkout the full schedule here.
USA Basketball has officially announced the roster for 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament which will be held in Puerto Rico, from March 11-17, 2026.
Here’s the list of the 12 player roster;
Aliyah Boston
Paige Bueckers
Sonia Citron
Caitlin Clark
Kahleah Copper
Chelsea Gray
Dearica Hamby
Rhyne Howard
Kiki Iriafen
Kelsey Plum
Angel Reese
Jackie Young
The roster is a mix of Olympic champions and rising stars, led by 2024 gold medalists Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young, alongside 3×3 bronze winners Dearica Hamby and Rhyne Howard. While veteran Aliyah Boston makes her anticipated return, the roster also features the official senior national team debuts of Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, Caitlin Clark, Kiki Iriafen, and Angel Reese.
Three-time Olympic and World champion Breanna Stewart will also join the team in Miami for a pre-competition training camp, set for March 7-8.
Introducing the 2026 USA Women's World Cup Qualifying Team 👊
The coaching staff will be lead by 2025-28 USA Basketball Women’s National Team head coach Kara Lawson (Duke University) with assistant coaches Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries), Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury) and Stephanie White (Indiana Fever). The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from March 11-17, 2026.
The U.S. Women’s team play games against Senegal, Puerto Rico, Italy, New Zealand, and Spain.
Australia is once again the FIBA Asia Cup champion after beating China in a down-to-the-wire game last Sunday night at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
After trailing by as many as 15 points in the first half, Australia mounted a comeback led by Xavier Cooks, who finished with 30 points and 9 rebounds. Jaylin Galloway added 23 points and William Hickey contributed 15, including the go-ahead basket late in the fourth quarter.
A missed three-point attempt by China’s Mingxuan Hu at the buzzer sealed the victory for Australia. With the win, the Boomers became just the second team in FIBA Asia Cup history to achieve a “three-peat” and extended their undefeated streak in the tournament to 18 games.
After the miraculous win against Saudi Arabia, I expected that Gilas would at least give the Australian team a hard time. Instead, Australia gave Gilas a basketball clinic on both offense and defense.
Just look at the game stats and boxscore; five Australian players scored in double digits, while only three did for Gilas: Kevin Quiambao (16 points), Justin Brownlee (13 points), and AJ Edu (13 points).
Full Game Highlights
Australia advances to the semifinals, where they await their next opponent. For Gilas, this is the end of the road until the next FIBA games.
