The 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup will open in Berlin on September 4, with the United States facing China in the inaugural match.
Key absences reshape the roster
Team USA, aiming for a fifth straight world title, will be without two of its biggest stars. Kelsey Plum, a 32‑year‑old guard who joined the Phoenix Mercury in August, has been ruled out after a lower‑leg injury limited her to a single appearance for the club. A'ja Wilson, the 30‑year‑old face of the Las Vegas Aces, also will miss the tournament after a knee issue, a setback that follows a season‑ending injury to teammate NaLyssa Smith.
USA Basketball responded by adding Washington Mystics forwards Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen to the squad, marking their first appearance on a senior international stage.
Even without Plum and Wilson, the roster remains stacked with talent. Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier and Angel Reese headline a group that hopes to translate domestic dominance into another global championship.
The competition begins with a matchup against China in Berlin, a venue that will test the team's depth and resilience as it pursues another historic run.