This year’s FIBA Women’s World Cup commenced in inauspicious fashion for Team USA as it was announced that A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum would be absent from the tournament with injuries.
Add in a narrow 55-52 victory over Italy that felt more like a loss and there was definite concern as to if this would be the year where the Stars and Stripes would be knocked from their perch.
Kara Lawson’s USA assembling answered all of those questions – with even more gold medals draped around the necks around the dozen names that made up this version of Team USA.
This year’s FIBA Women’s World Cup would come down to the United States and France – the same two nations that got together in the final of the Paris Olympics two years ago. Team USA narrowly got the better of that matchup to depart from the Paris Games with gold medals.
In 2026, more of the same would be the case as Team USA prevailed by a final score of 97-79 over Les Bleues.
In many ways, this contest was a microcosm of how this year’s FIBA Women’s World Cup unfolded for the Red, White and Blue – an inauspicious start followed by an emphatic finish. At one point, France had built a 31-17 lead, heightening fears among many a USA aficionado that its red, white and blue would soon be accompanied by silver.
Team USA’s rally actually began in the second quarter and what was a 14-point French advantage was trimmed down to two (45-43) at the break.
Sometimes, the momentum a team can carry into halftime can carry into the second half – and sometimes it can be answered with a similar run from an opponent. The former was true for the Stars and Stripes.
By outscoring France by a margin of 30-12 in the third quarter, Team USA’s job was simply to hold off Les Bleues in the final frame. Mission accomplished as Team USA would win, not only its fifth consecutive Women’s World Cup, but its 12th in its history.
Five from Team USA finished in double digits for points – including Breanna Stewart who also earned tournament MVP honors (as she did in the 2018 tournament). Stewie played more than 30 minutes and contributed a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds plus four assists to the USA cause.
For much of the tournament, the veterans were roundly criticized for supposedly not matching the production of the “Young and Turnt” crew. Those seasoned veterans lifted Team USA to the win over France. Another was Jackie Young who concluded Sunday’s matchup with 18 points, six rebounds and five assists. Team USA also benefitted from the 15 points that were placed on the scoreboard courtesy of Kahleah Copper.
Chelsea Gray also added to her impressive trophy case following this year’s FIBA Women’s World Cup. In the 27 minutes that she played, Point Gawd Gray contributed 12 points, five assists and four rebounds.
The fifth that finished in double digits for Team USA was off the bench – and represented the team’s “Young and Turnt” contingency. That was Caitlin Clark who saw over 13 minutes of court time while adding 12 points and three assists in a winning USA effort.
Also of note were the seven rebounds that were hauled in by Napheesa Collier as well as the four steals collected by Rhyne Howard.
Two names were the focal points for all things France on Sunday at Berlin’s Uber Arena. One was Dominique Malonga who would lead all bucket-getters for Les Bleues with 21 points. Malonga also hauled in six rebounds and collected a steal – all off the bench. She earned plenty of playing time – over 20 minutes on the court representing France.
Gabby Williams is consistently another that is difficult to contain. Williams was part of the starting five for Les Bleues and logged more than 32 minutes on the court. She tallied 20 points, dished out seven assists and collected three steals. Best Defensive Player honors were also bestowed on Williams.
Team USA’s Stewie and Young, France’s Williams, host nation Germany’s Leonie Fiebich and Spain’s Iyana Martín were named the All-Star Five from this year’s FIBA Women’s World Cup. Martín, who is only 20 years old, led España to a victory over host Deutschland in the Bronze Medal Game. She also earned Rising Star honors and España’s Miguel Mendez was named the Best Coach of the tournament.
The All-Second Team of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup was also announced – and it was comprised of China’s Han Xu, Steph Talbot of the Austrlian Opals, Nyara Sabally of host Deutschland, Janelle Salaün of Les Bleues and Emma Meesseman of the Belgian Cats.
With the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in the books, next up will be the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 – and 2030’s FIBA Women’s World Cup which will emanate from Japan. Unlike this year’s tournament, the 2030 FIBA Women’s World Cup is set to take place from November into December – outside of the range of the WNBA schedule.
