BERLIN (Germany) - Ahead of the curtain being raised on the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin, we've been taking a look at all the key stats and numbers you need to know about the famous competition.
Here's just a selection of the things to know before the big tip-off.
1 - A brilliant but solitary triple-double
It's Erika Dobrovicova who has the honor of being the only player in history to have had a triple-double in the competition. She completed the feat for her nation against Spain in 1994 when she registered an outstanding 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
It also gives ballers heading to this year's edition something to aim for. Can they join this very exclusive club and do what no other player has managed in more than three decades?
4 - Number of nations to have been crowned champions
Between them, USA and Soviet Union have won and amazing 17 of the 19 editions so far, with the former now chasing their 12th title and the latter having taken six crowns between 1959 and 1986.
In an exclusive club of winners, Brazil and Australia are the only two other nations to have occupied the top podium step with one-off success stories. Brazil were 1994 champions with iconic ballers like 'Magic' Paula, Hortencia and Janeth Arcain, while Australia won in 2006, fueled by storied duo Lauren Jackson and Penny Taylor.
4 - Most gold medals for a player. Will Stewie pull level?
The legendary Sue Bird is the only four-time FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup champion in history, although if USA retain their title, she will be joined by Breanna Stewart on that all-time high number.
Bird took gold in 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2018, while Stewart has won at the last three editions. Of course, Bird will be on hand to see 'Stewie' potentially pull level in her role as FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Global Ambassador and Managing Director of the USA Basketball Women's Team.
18 - Korea's record-breaking appearance streak
Most people will probably think that USA have the longest unbroken appearance streak in the competition, but that honor goes to Korea. This will be their 18th edition in a row at the tournament across a staggering 67 years.
Since they debuted in 1959 (at only the third ever edition) they have never missed a beat and appeared at every single edition. Their most memorable finishes coming in 1967 when they made the Final for the first time and in 1979 when they made the title game on home soil.
20 - A landmark edition
It's 73 years since the trailblazers that we all we owe so much to, stepped onto the outdoor court in Chile. That first edition was a spark that has resulted in so many amazing tournaments and memories down the years.
This year's action in Berlin will take place at what is the 20th edition - a major landmark to celebrate for women's global hoops and the amazing journey it has been on since 1953.
24 - Record steals and the number of years since it was set
The highest number of steals a team has snapped up in a game is 24 and rather neatly, it's a record that was set 24 years ago. It came when Cuba grabbed them in a clash against Americas rivals Argentina and was just one more than USA collected against Lithuania at the same edition.
Since 2022, no team has managed to get anywhere near to rivalling it, with just one further instance of 20 steals in the past 24 years.
30 - USA's current winning streak
For two decades, it's been a question of always getting the precious W on the board. The players might have changed, but the legacy has only gotten stronger. Defending champions and red-hot favorites USA will go into this one in pursuit of a fifth straight crown and tip-off their first group game with a 30-game win streak behind them.
The last time USA lost was in the Semi-Finals in 2006 against Russia, who ironically, went on to lose the title game against first-time champions, Australia. The first win of the 30 came for USA in the bronze medal game against Brazil.
32 - Years since Italy last appeared
No team at this year's event has waited longer to take to a World Cup floor than Italy. With more than three decades since they last appeared, they will want to make the most of it.
They will be buoyed by their bronze medal success at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 and positive displays in the World Cup Qualifying Tournament. Their last appearance at this stage came in 1994 in Australia when they had to settle for an 11th place finish.
41 - China's landmark game-assists tally at the last edition
Until Sydney 2022, no team had ever managed to hit the 40 mark for assists in a game. In fact the highest was 33, but eventual runners-up China managed to smash through that barrier when they served up 41 dimes against Puerto Rico.
It was an impressive accomplishment and reminded everyone that they are not just about their frontcourt towers. Interestingly champions USA also beat the previous record in accumulating 36 and 34 assists against Korea and Bosnia and Herzegovina respectively.
46 - The record-breaking score of the legendary Hortencia
Many people consider FIBA Hall of Famer Hortencia as the GOAT - and that is not a surprise when you look at her phenomenal accomplishments in the sport, and especially in this competition. She holds the record for the most points scored in a game after lighting it up with a staggering 46 against Yugoslavia in 1983.
Not only that, but the Brazilian who inspired her nation to their famous 1994 crown has also averaged more points than any other baller with a staggering 25.1 points across her 31 games. Confirmation that she is a true Women's World Cup legend.
4 million - followers on Caitlin Clark's Instagram
The hype will be off the charts for Caitlin Clark’s first-ever World Cup, especially after her TISSOT MVP performance in the Qualifying Tournament.
Not that Clark needs much more hyping up, having let her basketball do the talking and having already attracted a jaw-breaking 4 million Instagram followers. Although for anyone assuming she has the most IG followers of any player, think again.
That honor belongs to Angel Reese and her 5.2 million followers. And she, too, will make her debut at FIBA’s flagship event.
FIBA