The 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup will open in Berlin, Germany, bringing together the world's top national teams for a tournament that culminates with the championship game on September 13. As the event approaches, attention is focused on two former Iowa Hawkeyes who will make their World Cup debuts: Caitlin Clark for the United States and Megan DiLeo for Spain.
Star Power in Berlin
Clark, the NCAA's all-time leading scorer with 3951 points and a retired jersey number 22, arrives after a senior tournament debut in Puerto Rico and a TISSOT MVP performance that highlighted her 11.6 points and 6.4 assists per game during qualifying. Her presence signals a new chapter for the United States, which is targeting its fifth consecutive and 12th overall World Cup title.
DiLeo, who capped her Iowa career with 2804 points and a school-record 1460 rebounds before her jersey number 10 was retired, will represent Spain after a standout showing at the qualifying tournament where she averaged 14.6 points and 6.4 rebounds. Her first World Cup appearance follows a memorable run at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In Group D, the United States will face China on September 4, Italy on September 6 and Czechia on September 7. Meanwhile, Spain's Group A pits them against Germany on September 4, Mali on September 5 and Japan on September 7. Both squads are positioned to advance to the knockout rounds, with the quarterfinals slated for September 10, the semifinals for September 12 and the final on September 13.
The tournament's schedule promises intense matchups, and all games will be televised in the United States on TNT Sports and DAZN, providing broad coverage for fans eager to follow the pursuit of historic milestones.
Spain enters the competition with a proud pedigree, having secured three World Cup medals, the most recent a bronze in 2018. Their return to the world stage after missing the 2022 edition adds narrative intrigue to a tournament that promises to blend legacy with emerging star power.