The 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup will see the United States take on Italy at Berlin’s Uber Arena on September 6 at 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time, a showdown that marks the start of the tournament’s group stage.
Team USA enters the contest riding a wave of dominance that has seen it capture the last four FIBA Women’s World Cup titles without a single loss since 2006. After a commanding 94‑61 victory over China in the opener, the Americans were led by WNBA star Caitlin Clark, whose 14 points and 11 assists not only propelled the win but also set a new FIBA Women’s World Cup record for most assists by an American player.
Italy, meanwhile, earned its place in the knockout round after a 63‑54 win over Czechia, with former Golden State Valkyries standout Cecilia Zandalasini contributing 19 points and establishing herself as a key offensive threat for the Azzurras.
Tournament Structure and Schedule
Group‑stage winners will advance directly to the quarterfinals slated for September 10, while the runners‑up and third‑place teams will contest a qualification round on September 8, determining the final two spots in the quarterfinal lineup.
In the United States, the match can be watched live on TNT and streamed on HBO Max, giving fans multiple avenues to follow the action.