BERLIN (Germany) - All eyes will be on the holders and red-hot favorites when Group D of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 tips-off in Berlin.
It would be an enormous upset if USA did lose any games in the competition, although they do have an early test of their credentials when they open up against China in a repeat of the 2022 title game in Sydney.
European duo Italy and Czechia are the other two teams in the pool and both will be keen to make a splash and show it is not all about USA.
The Favorite: USA
There's not much left to say about the all-conquering USA, although they did almost lose their last major game at the global level when they were almost pipped at Paris 2024 by hosts France. Breanna Stewart has already declared this should act as a wake-up call, so USA might just arrive re-focused and more dominant than ever.
They are mind-blowingly stacked and as ever, the best measure of this is to be amazed at who didn't make the cut - as well as who did. There is also a feeling of a new chapter with high-profile newbies like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, but both showed in the Qualifying Tournament just how important they can be to success.
The Underdog: Czechia
After fighting to make their first edition since 2014 in an up and down campaign at the Qualifying Tournament in Wuhan with wins against Brazil and South Sudan, there's no doubt Czechia were riding a high. Underdogs of this group once drawn, this is even more the case having lost the services of their shining star.
Emma Cechova is ruled out with a serious injury and second twin tower Julia Reisingerova is doubtful, which puts huge strain on the team. These ballers would normally anchor the paint and it will be a blow if they have to operate without both. To make matters worse, they have to face two of the best frontcourts in USA and China.
The Pivotal Game: China vs Italy
If it goes to plan, even if the women's game is predictably unpredictable, then this is the game of the group by far. With most observers expecting USA and Czechia to form the bookends of Group D, it is left to China and Italy to fight it out for 2nd place.
Or at least that is the theory - and it could be misplaced of course. Either way, it will be a potentially super game, with China having big ambitions again after making the Final in 2022, while Italy are back on a global stage for the first time this century and have the confidence from their super bronze medal at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025.
The Superstar: A'ja Wilson (USA)
One of the greats of the modern game already, the 2022 MVP and also the MVP of Paris 2024 is in Berlin to lead USA to what looks like inevitable glory. The forward is set to dominate as usual, powering USA to yet another title with her first-class game, physicality and now also leadership - with Wilson one of the senior players in the group.
The Rising Star: Ziyu Zhang (China)
Something of a phenomenon due to her almost unique size and style, the teenage center has caused a stir from the moment she stepped onto the FIBA youth stage. After tearing it up with eye-popping numbers, she has shown she can compete at the senior level too.
Highly impactful in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 and at the Qualifying Tournament for Berlin earlier this year, there will be a lot of attention on her World Cup debut as she prepares to test herself against the best.
Did you know?
- Italy have waited the longest of any team in the tournament to step out at the World Cup, with their previous appearance coming way back in 1994.
- The last time USA lost was in the Semi-Finals at the 2006 edition in Brazil.
- Group D is the highest rated when going off the collective positions of all four nations in the FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE.
FIBA