BERLIN (Germany) - It's surely going to take something special to end the reign of defending champions USA, who will touch down in Berlin in pursuit of a 12th FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup crown.
Looking to strengthen their astonishing legacy as the dominant force in global women's hoops, the last time they didn't manage to take the ultimate prize was exactly two decades ago.
Even with some potentially newer faces on the roster, there's still no concern about any transition period. USA will have many of the world's best in their lineup and this makes us all ask if they will be unstoppable as usual?
How they qualified
USA took a direct ticket thanks to winning FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2025. They were crowned champions after beating Brazil by 92-84 in the Final. They still participated in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments, stepping out in San Juan where they won all five of their outings by comprehensive double-digit margins. Senior debutante Caitlin Clark was named TISSOT MVP.
FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament (San Juan, Puerto Rico) Gameday 1: USA 110-46 Senegal (W) Game Report Gameday 2: Puerto Rico 48-91 USA (W) Game Report Gameday 3: USA 93-59 Italy (W) Game Report Gameday 4: New Zealand 46-101 USA (W) Game Report Gameday 5: Spain 70-84 USA (W) Game Report
Women's World Cup pedigree
Number of participations (including 2026): 19
Last participation: 2022 (1st)
Best finish: 1st (1953, 1957, 1979, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)
Podium finishes:🥇(1953, 1957, 1979, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022),🥈(1983),🥉(1994, 2006)
Current FIBA World Ranking for Women, presented by Nike: 1st
Last 10 FIBA events
Year | Event | Location | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
2025 | FIBA Women's AmeriCup | Santiago, Chile | 1st |
2024 | Olympic Games | Paris, France | 1st |
2023 | FIBA Women's AmeriCup | Leon, Mexico | 2nd |
2022 | FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup | Sydney, Australia | 1st |
2021 | FIBA Women's AmeriCup | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 1st |
2020 | Olympic Games | Tokyo, Japan | 1st |
2019 | FIBA Women's AmeriCup | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 1st |
2018 | FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup | Tenerife, Spain | 1st |
2017 | FIBA Women's AmeriCup | Buenos Aires | Did not participate |
2016 | Olympic Games | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 1st |
The Group Phase
It's a fitting segway between editions that the draw has given us a mouth-watering re-run of the 2022 FINAL on the first day of the upcoming tournament. While USA will be heavy favorites, it's a good early test for the holders - especially with China's huge frontcourt.
They should ease out Italy who they beat comfortably earlier this year in the Qualifying Tournament, while a big win against injury-hit Czechia looks to be an absolute lock.
Group Phase Games
USA vs China (Sep 4) Italy vs USA (Sep 6) USA vs Czechia (Sep 7)
Players to watch
The MVP not only four years ago in Sydney, but also at Paris 2024, A'ja Wilson has been a dominant force for USA on the global scene. If the holders are to be beaten, then someone has to somehow slow down the forward. Her strength and skill-set is a potent combination and she's now widely revered as the best on the planet.
Breanna Stewart was the MVP at the 2018 edition and this duo will work in tandem as two of the best players of the modern era in the women's game. It really underlines just how tough it will be for anyone to topple USA. 'Stewie' is now entering veteran status and brings so much experience on top of her sky-high ability.
Caitlin Clark was TISSOT MVP in the Qualifying Tournaments and there will be off-the-chart hype around her debut at the famous event. A box-office performer, it will be a case of popcorn at the ready.
Fear and Hope
USA don't do fear - do they? Or at least they seem to have zero reasons to. However, they might have that tiny niggling 'what if?' at the back of their minds. It's extremely rare and highly unlikely, but as Australia showed back in 2006 when they were crowned champions, surprises can sometimes happen.
The hope for USA is they continue with the formula that has served them so well. Having the most talented players, deepest roster and enough clutch and deal-breakers on the floor that even if tight games arise, they get over the line. They will expect to go five in a row and it will be seismic shock reverberating around the sport if they don't.
FIBA