USA Basketball names 2026 women's team for Berlin World Cup
A 12-player roster led by WNBA stars will chase a fifth straight FIBA Women's World Cup title in September.
USA Basketball announced its 2026 women's national team on 6 August, confirming the 12 players who will compete at the FIBA Women's World Cup in Berlin from 4 to 13 September.
The roster brings together Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Rhyne Howard, Kelsey Plum, Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart, A'ja Wilson and Jackie Young.
Experience and first appearances
Copper, Gray, Plum, Stewart and Wilson return from the group that won the 2022 World Cup. The roster also includes seven World Cup debutants. USA Basketball says the 12 players combine for 14 Olympic gold medals and nine World Cup gold medals, while Stewart and Wilson account for six WNBA Most Valuable Player awards between them.
Boston, Bueckers, Clark and Reese are set to make their first USA appearance at a major international competition. The selection was made by managing director Sue Bird and approved by the USA Basketball Board of Directors.
Group play starts against China
The United States open their group campaign against China on 4 September, followed by Italy on 6 September and Czechia on 7 September. The quarterfinals are scheduled for 10 September, with the final on 13 September.
Kara Lawson will coach the team, assisted by Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts and Stephanie White. The roster gives the defending champions a clear blend of returning title-winning experience and players entering their first senior World Cup, with Berlin providing the next test of that balance.
Sources and reporting
Primary source: https://www.nba.com/news/2026-usa-basketball-womens-team-announced
Official image: https://cdn.nba.com/manage/2026/08/GettyImages-2166341374.jpg