Team USA Reveals 2026 Women's Roster for FIBA World Cup

WHO:

Bullets Forever - Kiki Iriafen played for Team USA in World Cup qualifiers and could be on the team in the future.

Bullets Forever - Sonia Citron was invited to camp last year.

Bullets Forever - Alicia Florez made a 21-player preliminary roster for Team Spain, but the roster isn’t official yet.

Bullets Forever - Georgia Amoore did not make Team Australia’s roster for the FIBA Women’s World Cup.

Bullets Forever - Txell Alarcon for Spain and Nastja Claessens for Belgium could be in the FIBA Women’s World Cup.

AOL.com - Sue Bird announced the U.S. women’s national team roster for the 2026 FIBA World Cup on August 6, 2026.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - Olympic gold medalists Chelsea Gray, A’ja Wilson, and Jackie Young from the Las Vegas Aces will play for the U.S. women’s national team.

Bullets Forever - The U.S. women’s national team’s head coach is Kara Lawson, a former Mystics player and current Duke women’s basketball head coach.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - Rhyne Howard and Aliyah Boston will also be making their World Cup debuts.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - Nate Tibbetts, head coach of the Phoenix Mercury, will serve as an assistant coach for the U.S. women’s national team.

NGSC Sports - Team USA's roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup includes Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Rhyne Howard, Kelsey Plum, Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, and Jackie Young.

AOL.com - Sue Bird is the managing director of the U.S. women’s national team.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - Kara Lawson is the head coach of the U.S. women’s national team.

WHAT:

Las Vegas Review-Journal - The U.S. women's national team has a combined 58 WNBA All-Star appearances and 16 WNBA titles among the selected players.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - The U.S. women's national team is seeking its fifth consecutive and 12th overall World Cup gold medal.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - The U.S. team will face China, Italy, and the Czech Republic in pool play.

Bullets Forever - The U.S. women's national team roster includes seven players making their World Cup debuts: Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young.

sports.yahoo.com - Caitlin Clark was averaging 21.5 points and 8.0 assists per game for Indiana at the time of her selection for Team USA.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - A'ja Wilson stated, "It’s always good when you compete for a gold medal, it’s a big honor. It’s something I don’t take lightly. Time to go there and have some fun and also win."

AOL.com - The U.S. women’s national team is sending a roster that includes seven players from the 2024 U.S. Olympic team that won gold in Paris.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - The U.S. women’s national team has a combined 14 Olympic and nine World Cup gold medals among the selected players.

AOL.com - The U.S. women's national team is sending a roster that includes seven players from the 2024 U.S. Olympic team that won gold in Paris.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - The U.S. women's national team has a 61-game winning streak in international competition.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - The U.S. team is in Group D with China, Italy, and the Czech Republic, and has a historical record of 11-1 against these teams in FIBA World Cup play.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - The U.S. women's national team has won 12 FIBA World Cup titles, including five in a row.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - The U.S. team is seeking its fifth consecutive and 12th overall World Cup gold medal.

The Source - The U.S. women's national team roster combines 14 Olympic and nine World Cup gold medals and features seven players making their World Cup debuts.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - The U.S. team is seeking its fifth consecutive and 12th overall World Cup gold medal.

AOL.com - The U.S. women's national team is sending a roster that includes seven players from the 2024 U.S. Olympic team that won gold in Paris.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - The U.S. women's national team has won 12 FIBA World Cup titles, including five in a row.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - The U.S. team is in Group D with China, Italy, and the Czech Republic, and has a historical record of 11-1 against these teams in FIBA World Cup play.

AOL.com - The U.S. women’s national team is aiming for its fifth consecutive FIBA World Cup title.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - The U.S. women’s national team has a 61-game winning streak in international competition.

Bullets Forever - The U.S. women’s national team roster was announced for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.

AOL.com - The U.S. team aims to win its fifth consecutive FIBA World Cup title.

sportingnews.com - Caitlin Clark was selected for Team USA’s 12-player roster after earning MVP honors at the qualifying tournament.

sports.yahoo.com - The FIBA World Cup will take place from September 4-13 in Berlin, Germany.

WHERE:

sports.yahoo.com - The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup will be held in Berlin, Germany.

sportingnews.com - The qualifying tournament took place in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

WHEN:

sports.yahoo.com - The FIBA World Cup is scheduled to take place from September 4-13, 2026.

AOL.com - The FIBA World Cup will take place from September 4-13, 2026.

sports.yahoo.com - The FIBA World Cup is scheduled from September 4-13, 2026.

sportingnews.com - The U.S. will open group play against China on September 4, followed by games against Italy and Czechia.

WHY:

Bullets Forever - Bird stated, "The beauty of that is it means almost all players are wanting to be on this team, willing to be on this team. It is a sacrifice. It is a time commitment."

AOL.com - The selection of the roster aims to blend experience and youth, preparing for future competitions like the 2028 Olympics.

sportingnews.com - The top finishers at the FIBA World Cup will qualify automatically for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but this does not apply to Team USA as the host nation has an automatic entry.

AOL.com - The selection of the roster aims to blend experience and youth, preparing for future competitions like the 2028 Olympics.

HOW:

Bullets Forever - Bird called many of the players who didn’t make the team this time, including Sabrina Ionescu.

Swish Appeal - The coaching staff for Team USA includes Duke head coach Kara Lawson and three WNBA head coaches: Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts, and Stephanie White, with Jose Fernandez and Tia Jackson serving as scout coaches.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - This is the first time that USA Basketball had a managing director, Sue Bird, choose the team instead of a committee.

Swish Appeal - The coaching staff for Team USA includes Duke head coach Kara Lawson and three WNBA head coaches: Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts, and Stephanie White.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - This is the first time that USA Basketball had a managing director, Sue Bird, choose the team instead of a committee.

Las Vegas Review-Journal - The U.S. team was selected by managing director Sue Bird, marking the first time a managing director chose the team instead of a committee.

The U.S. women's national basketball team is gearing up for the FIBA World Cup, which is set to take place from September 4 to 13, 2026, as they aim for their fifth consecutive and twelfth overall gold medal. Among the players vying for a spot is Kiki Iriafen, who has already represented Team USA in World Cup qualifiers, while Alicia Florez has made a preliminary roster for Team Spain, although it's not yet official. Coach Bird emphasized the commitment required, noting that many players, including Sabrina Ionescu, were called to discuss their non-selection, highlighting the dedication and sacrifice involved in being part of this elite team.