A Season on Hold
The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup is set to open its doors on September 4 in Berlin, Germany, and the excitement is already reshaping the WNBA calendar. The league will pause its regular season until September 17, giving the world’s top talent a chance to represent their nations on the biggest stage.
Team USA announced a late adjustment, opting to keep A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum at home for health reasons and promoting Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron to the roster. This change underscores the delicate balance between club commitments and international duty.
The tournament will feature 51 WNBA players from 16 nations, with every team except the Chicago Sky contributing at least one representative. The New York Liberty will lead the exodus, sending eight of its stars, including Breanna Stewart and Han Xu, while the Connecticut Sun will be represented by Kennedy Burke and Leïla Lacan.
Other clubs also boast strong showings: the Atlanta Dream will field Isobel Borlase, Rhyne Howard, Sika Koné and Angel Reese; the Golden State Valkyries will showcase Janelle Salaün, Mila Sowah, Gabby Williams and Cecilia Zandalasini; and the Minnesota Lynx will rely on Chloe Bibby and Dorka Juhász.
The Phoenix Mercury, Portland Fire, Seattle Storm, Toronto Tempo and Washington Mystics each have their own set of representatives, underscoring the breadth of talent spread across the league. Fans can look forward to a month of high‑stakes competition as the world’s best prepare to battle for continental glory.
Global Talent Gathers in Berlin
The convergence of players from diverse backgrounds promises a tournament rich in style and intensity. From the United States to Australia, France, Mali and beyond, each nation will bring its own brand of basketball, creating a vivid tapestry of competition that will capture audiences worldwide.