USA Basketball's New Faces Shine at 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup
The United States women's national basketball team is set to compete in the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany, after a wave of injuries forced a reshuffle of the roster.
Sonia Citron, a standout from the University of Maryland, will make her senior USA Basketball debut, having previously captured gold with the U19 squad in 2021 and the U16 team in 2019.
Joining her, Kiki Iriafen, the fourth‑overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft and a two‑time WNBA All‑Star, brings professional experience and a reputation for versatility.
A Blend of Experience and Youth
The roster also features veteran star Breanna Stewart and emerging talents Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, while nine other players prepare for their first World Cup appearances.
Under head coach Kara Lawson, a Virginia native who leads the national program, the team will open its group schedule against China on September 4, Italy on September 6, and Czechia on September 7.
Team USA enters the tournament with a storied legacy of ten Olympic and five World Cup gold medals, underscoring the pressure and ambition to add another chapter of dominance.