BERLIN (Germany) - The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 is about to see the best players in the global game arriving in Berlin in pursuit of the famous trophy.
You can let us know which player you are most excited to watch by casting your vote in the fan poll below.
20. Sika Kone - Mali
FORWARD
Birth Date: July 13, 2002 (24 years old) Height: 6ft 3in / 1.90 cm
The standout player for Mali at the last edition in 2022, Kone is a quality forward who uses her nice combination of power, strength and skill to keep her country competitive. Her tournament double-double in Sydney while just 20 years old speak volumes about her talent level.
Fast forward four years and she is even more well equipped to continue doing the business in the paint for her country and help them maybe cause a surprise or two in the German capital.
19. Kennedy Burke - Türkiye
GUARD
Birth Date: February 14, 1997 (29 years old) Height: 6ft 1in / 1.85 cm
It looks like naturalizing Burke has been a ream masterstroke for Türkiye, who find themselves back at a FIBA global tournament for the first time in eight years. The scoring touch that the guard brings, along with her clutch ability and physicality gives her team something to rely on.
If Türkiye are to navigate their way out of their group, then there is no doubt that it is going to take Burke doing something very impactful - as she did in the all-important Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul earlier this year.
18. Ezinne Kalu - Nigeria
GUARD
Birth Date: June 26, 1992 (34 years old) Height: 5ft 8in / 1.73 cm
There are plenty of potential picks when it comes to who might be the baller to watch for the African champions. But having a leader and playmaker like Kalu remains simply priceless and she showed at Paris 2024 how integral she is to everything her team does.
At 34 years of age, the guard has seen it all. Her know-how will be pivotal in a group where Nigeria must play well if they want to advance. She will create, score, lead the defensive intensity and be a calm presence in big moments.
17. Alexis Peterson - Germany
GUARD
Birth Date: June 20, 1995 (31 years old) Height: 5ft 5in / 1.65 cm
As soon as Peterson pulled on a Germany vest and took to the floor at Paris 2024 for a sparkling debut tournament, it highlighted just how important of a player she would become. The playmaker is someone who makes Germany tick and a large chunk of responsibility and expectation will be on her shoulders for this one.
The leadership the guard provides is even more precious because of a lack of guard depth compared to their frontcourt. Germany will need their star guard to continue being durable and highly productive like usual.
16. Leeseul Kang - Korea
GUARD
Birth Date: April 5, 1994 (32 years old) Height: 5ft 11in / 1.80 cm
Known as 'Kang The Conqueror' for good reason, the shooting skills of the guard can be crazy when she gets some momentum - as seen at the Qualifying Tournament when she put on a record-breaking show. Described as being on the rise again, if Korea want to justify the confidence being placed in them by some, Kang needs to hit top gear.
But she is about a whole lot more than three-point shooting, she can score in other ways too, while she is also now vastly experienced. He nation's top performer at the 2022 edition, they will be hoping for a cut and paste this time.
15. Cecilia Zandalasini - Italy
GUARD
Birth Date: March 16, 1996 (30 years old) Height: 6ft 1in / 1.86 cm
The smile on Zandalasini's face was quite something when Italy ended a wait of more than 30 years for a FIBA Women's EuroBasket medal last year, before following it up with a first World Cup ticket since the 1990's. While no longer the explosive scoring talent that emerged a decade or so ago, she has certainly adapted her game nicely.
While still capable of huge scoring contributions, she has really turned up the dial on creating and leading. It's paying dividends for Italy. She impressed at the Qualifying Tournament and will want to continue the momentum.
14. Dorka Juhasz - Hungary
CENTER
Birth Date: December 18, 1999 (26 years old) Height: 6ft 4in / 1.92 cm
A tower of strength who was sensational at the Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul, the center put in some stellar performances and came up with eye-popping numbers. It was the fuel behind Hungary booking their first World Cup berth of this century. Suffering a worrying injury since, Juhasz should still be back firing for the Berlin mission.
And, Hungary will need her to use her size advantage to continue being a matchup nightmare. She not only excels in the paint but has an extended shooting range, as well as being an anchor defensively too.
13. Megan Gustafson - Spain
FORWARD / CENTER
Birth Date: December 13, 1996 (29 years old) Height: 6ft 3in / 1.90 cm
As Spain relish the prospect of making up for the shock of missing out on Sydney 2022, hopes are high they can make a push for the podium and if they do, expect Gustafson to have a leading role. She showed again what she can bring during the Qualifying Tournament - coming in the wake of a near Olympic double-double at Paris 2024.
Her finishing ability around the rim, ability to drift outside and make shots as well opening up space for teammates is vital. Meanwhile defensively she is vital too. Expect her to potentially lead Spain in both scoring and rebounding.
12. Xu Han - China
CENTER
Birth Date: October 31, 1999 (26 years old) Height: 6ft 9in / 2.05 cm
Already in the process of becoming an iconic Chinese player, the center is a big fan favorite way beyond her homeland. Preparing for her third World Cup at just 26 years old, she will be one of the leading players for her country - as was evident when she showed out at the Qualifying Tournament in Wuhan back in March.
While her height might be the first thing on the list when it comes to her attributes for most people, it is arguably her soft touch and shooting like clockwork that impresses most. She will put up some big numbers for sure.
11. Sami Whitcomb - Australia
GUARD
Birth Date: July 20, 1988 (38 years old) Height: 5ft 10in / 1.78 cm
Set to be one of the oldest players in the competition, Whitcomb is proving that age is just a number and still balling out for her nation. Her displays in the Qualifying Tournament were the driving force behind Australia going unbeaten in a so-called 'Group of Death' with a deserved MVP accolade landing in her hands.
The veteran guard will bring the noise in terms of her scoring, creative skills and also her vast know-how. If she repeats the form she showed in Istanbul, then a podium charge is very much in play for the Opals.
10. Leonie Fiebich - Germany
SMALL FORWARD
Birth Date: January 10, 2000 (26 years old) Height: 6ft 4in / 1.92 cm
There's no doubt Fiebich will be a leader for the host nation and especially if she can find the hot-hand from long-range. This could transform Germany's prospects, since when she is firing as well as doing her usual hard work on the glass, there are few better around. Her versatility will also be essential if some other big-hitters are absent.
With Satou Sabally ruled out because of an injury, the role of Fiebich will be even more important. She has never failed to deliver in a national team jersey and will relish the prospect of lighting it up in front of the home fans.
9. Marine Johannes - France
GUARD
Birth Date: January 21 , 1995 (31 years old) Height: 5ft 10in / 1.77 cm
No player on the planet fills a highlights reel quite like Johannes and she has an added incentive to light it up in the German capital. That's because four years ago she went all the way to Sydney with the French team and was injured on the eve of the tournament and was agonizingly ruled out.
She has the talent and experience not only to entertain, but to help deliver the best result for France since the inaugural edition. Scoring or creating, there are few better to watch in the modern era.
8. Julie Allemand - Belgium
GUARD
Birth Date: July 7, 1996 (30 years old) Height: 5ft 9in / 1.74 cm
Allemand pulls the strings beautifully for Belgium and was typically outstanding for the Cats in the Qualifying Tournament. In fact. the playmaker loves this competition and no player in World Cup history gets near when it comes to average assists with 7.4 per game. That underlines her quality and her value to this team.
Taking to the court for her third edition. if she continues to excel with her court vision, leadership and also under appreciated defensive work, it could fuel another historic chapter and a first World Cup medal for Belgium.
7. Caitlin Clark - USA
GUARD
Birth Date: January 22, 2002 (24 years old) Height: 6ft 0in / 1.83 cm
One of, if not the most famous baller in the world, Clark needs little introduction and especially after she won the TISSOT MVP award at the Qualifying Tournament in San Juan. It felt like on her senior USA debut she was putting everyone on notice about her intentions for the big show in Berlin.
Now we are set for the main stage, the guard will inevitably bring the noise in the backcourt as the new USA generation takes over. There could be fireworks and a lot of amazing plays, so it will be box-office either way.
6. Mai Yamamoto - Japan
GUARD
Birth Date: October 23, 1999 (26 years old) Height: 5ft 4in / 1.63 cm
Japan have such a great mix of experience and youth, with Yamamoto the perfect link in the middle of these two groups to headline their challenge in Berlin. Her fantastic contributions in the Qualifying Tournament solidified her status as the baller to watch for the Asian side.
She can bring the main scoring punch and is adept at netting momentum-shifting and decisive triples when her team needs. Yamamoto will be high on opposing scouting reports but is smart and will handle any extra attention.
5. Ezi Magbegor - Australia
CENTER
Birth Date: August 13, 1999 (27 years old) Height: 6ft 4in / 1.93 cm
Opinion seems to be split on whether Australia has what it takes to make it three global podiums in a row. One thing that can't be denied is that if Magbegor plays to her maximum, then the prospects of the Opals will soar. She signed off Paris 2024 with that storied and monumental display in the Third Place Game.
A mixture of mobility, athleticism and also now extensive experience will all be on show in Berlin. Meanwhile her length always causes opponents big matchup problems meaning the center is ready and waiting to stand out.
4. Gabby Williams - France
FORWARD
Birth Date: September 9, 1996 (29 years old) Height: 5ft 11in / 1.88 cm
Who doesn't love watching Williams ballin? The French standout has it all and is renowned for setting the tone and being a leader for this group. Her defensive prowess remains particularly impressive and after showing out at Paris 2024, can she be the one to take France to a first podium place since 1953?
A big fan favorite globally, the aura matches the skills and if she hits a high gear again, then expect her to be leading France in multiple categories and most importantly, producing some clutch plays on both ends of the floor.
3. Emma Meesseman - Belgium
FORWARD
Birth Date: May 13, 1993 (33 years old) Height: 6ft 4in / 1.93 cm
Everyone is nearly running out of superlatives to describe the incredible influence, performances and achievements of the Cats' outstanding and legendary leader. The marquee baller for Belgium in their epic rise to prominence in the last decade, Meesseman has won back to back Women's EuroBasket MVP awards and inspired two titles.
With historic Continental success delivered alongside a first ever World Cup ticket in 2018 and maiden Olympic appearance in Tokyo, now watch the forward try to put her country on their first ever global podium.
2. Breanna Stewart - USA
FORWARD
Birth Date: August 27, 1994 (31 years old) Height: 6ft 3in / 1.91 cm
Only Sue Bird has four Women's World Cup titles to her name and it is an accomplishment that Stewart could match when she takes to the court in Berlin. With possible history also in reach as the first player to win multiple World Cup TISSOT MVP honors, all eyes will be on the USA star as usual .
Her renowned ability to either put a team on her shoulders and take control, or smartly sail along with slick cameos when others are firing is so important. The quality and experience that oozes from Stewart is always a joy to watch.
1. A'ja Wilson - USA
FORWARD
Birth Date: August 8, 1996 (30 years old) Height: 6ft 4in / 1.93 cm
Few would argue Wilson is the best player on the planet and you can point to her chasing a stunning third consecutive MVP award at a major global tournament. Having been crowned TISSOT MVP World Cup MVP, she followed it up by also taking MVP at Paris 2024. Now she's likely to be at the center of USA's campaign again.
Chasing her third straight MVP award and also third straight Women's World Cup title, it would be a shock if she did not remain USA's main focal point. Too strong, too good, this classy baller looks ready to shine yet again.
FIBA