COLORADO SPRINGS (USA) - Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen have been called up to the USA team that will defend their title at the upcoming FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin, Germany. Citron and Iriafen are replacing two-time World Cup winners Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson who have both been ruled out of participating due to health issues.
Underlining the phenomenal depth of the reigning champions who will still be red hot favorites to retain their crown, the highly rated Citron will make her senior tournament debut in the German capital. Like her fellow World Cup debutantes Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, the guard has also enjoyed success at FIBA youth level on the global stage.
Indeed, she collected a gold medal at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2021 while playing alongside Clark as she attained All-Star Five status in Debrecen, with her teammate taking MVP honors. Having been a standout baller with Notre Dame during her College career, Citron also took part in the USA Women’s National Team Training Camp last December.
Meanwhile Iriafen made her USA senior debut at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament San Juan, Puerto Rico back in March. The former Stanford University standout averaged 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game across her five outings. The duo take their place on a USA roster that will have nine World Cup debutantes and yet still boast incredible strength, talent and plenty of experience at the elite level.
The group has a combined 10 Olympics and 5 World Cup medals, with the likes of Breanna Stewart ready to step up as usual and headline their tilt at a fifth consecutive title. USA have been pitched into Group D and will open up against China on September 4, followed by games against Italy and Czechia on September 6 and 7 respectively.
FIBA