The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup tips off on Friday, in Berlin, Germany. It’s the second time that Germany will be hosting this tournament, and this year’s edition brings back a 16-team field.
With the tournament just days away, Team USA has also finalized its roster after making two late changes. The squad is headlined by some of the biggest names in women’s basketball, including Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers.
A Look at the USA Squad for the FIBA Women’s World Cup
Team USA’s roster for this World Cup is stacked. The names on the list include Clark, Reese, Bueckers, Aliyah Boston, Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Rhyne Howard, Breanna Stewart, and Jackie Young.
There were two notable absences, though. A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum were originally part of the team, but both will now sit out the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup because of health issues, USA Basketball announced on Monday. Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen will take their spots on the roster.
Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen report for USA duty, replacing A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum 🫡 #FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/5ir5wjnj9E
— FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) August 31, 2026
Even with those two changes, the squad is loaded with talent. Clark had a tough sophomore season in the WNBA. But now she looks like she’s found her rhythm again.
Clark is currently averaging 22.5 points, 8.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game, and over her last three WNBA outings she hasn’t scored fewer than 20 points. She dropped 21 against the Liberty, followed that up with a 37-point game against the Chicago Sky, and then kept her form going with 34 points against the Sun.
Then there’s Reese, who is averaging 16.1 points and 12.4 rebounds a night and currently sits atop the WNBA in total rebounds with 485. Rounding out the young core is Paige Bueckers, who is averaging 20.5 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game.
On the sideline, the team will be led by head coach Kara Lawson, with Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts, and Stephanie White serving as assistant coaches.
What Awaits Team USA in Berlin?
Team USA is in Group D alongside China, Italy, and Czechia. Clark and co. will begin their tournament against China on Friday, before facing Italy on Sunday, and Czechia on Monday.
Each team will play the other three teams in its group once. The group winner will move straight into the quarterfinals, while the teams finishing second and third will have to go through a qualification game for the quarterfinals. The fourth-place teams will be eliminated.
Now, with Clark, Reese, and Bueckers leading a talented group surrounded by experienced veterans, Team USA will head to Berlin with plenty of expectations.
