Caitlin Clark Leads Team USA Roster Amid Controversial Omissions
WHO:
Yahoo Sports - The Team USA roster includes Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Rhyne Howard, Kahleah Copper, A'ja Wilson, Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, and Aliyah Boston.
hawkcentral.com - Duke women's basketball head coach Kara Lawson will lead Team USA at the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, assisted by WNBA head coaches Stephanie White, Natalie Nakase, and Nate Tibbetts, along with Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez and Duke assistant Tia Jackson as scouts.
Yahoo Sports - Olivia Miles was not selected for Team USA's World Cup team.
Yahoo Sports - Kelsey Mitchell was also left off the roster.
hawkcentral.com - Caitlin Clark, A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, Jackie Young, Napheesa Collier, Aliyah Boston.
hawkcentral.com - Sue Bird, managing director of USA Basketball.
hawkcentral.com - Kara Lawson, head coach of Team USA.
WHAT:
Yahoo Sports - The U.S. team will face China (No. 4), Italy (No. 14), and Czechia (No. 17) in pool play during the World Cup.
Yahoo Sports - Seven players, including Rhyne Howard and Aliyah Boston, will make their World Cup debuts, marking their first major senior international competition with Team USA.
hawkcentral.com - Seven players, including Rhyne Howard and Aliyah Boston, will make their World Cup debuts, marking their first major senior international competition with Team USA.
hawkcentral.com - The gold medal game of the World Cup is set for September 13, 2026, and WNBA games will resume on September 17, 2026.
Yahoo Sports - Seven players, including Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese, will make their World Cup debuts.
On3 - Team USA will face Italy (No. 14) and Czechia (No. 17) in addition to China (No. 4) during pool play.
hawkcentral.com - Caitlin Clark was selected for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup roster.
hawkcentral.com - The 12-player roster was announced on August 6.
hawkcentral.com - Team USA will compete in the World Cup from September 4 to 13.
hawkcentral.com - Team USA has won 12 FIBA World Cup titles, including nine of the last 12 and four in a row.
hawkcentral.com - Clark was named MVP of the World Cup qualifying tournament, averaging 11.6 points and 6.4 assists per game.
WHERE:
hawkcentral.com - The 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup will be held in Berlin, Germany.
hawkcentral.com - Team USA's first game is against China.
WHEN:
Yahoo Sports - The World Cup tournament is scheduled for September 4–13, 2026, with Team USA's first game against China on September 4 at 7:15 a.m. CT.
hawkcentral.com - The World Cup tournament is scheduled for September 4–13, 2026.
hawkcentral.com - Team USA's first game is on September 4 at 7:15 a.m. CT.
WHY:
The Shadow League - Sue Bird stated that participation in training camps helps coaches evaluate players, which affected Olivia Miles' selection.
hawkcentral.com - Sue Bird stated that the roster includes a mix of experience and youth to bring out the best in the team.
hawkcentral.com - Clark's selection followed her record-breaking performance in July, where she became the first WNBA player to score at least 40 points and 10 assists in a single game.
HOW:
The Shadow League - Sue Bird stated that while attending USA Basketball training camps isn’t a prerequisite for selection, it helps coaches evaluate players' fit within the team.
The Shadow League - Kelsey Mitchell did not attend recent Team USA camps due to studying for her doctorate degree.
hawkcentral.com - The roster was finalized after evaluating players' performances and consistency during training camps and qualifying tournaments.
Team USA's roster for the upcoming World Cup features standout players like Caitlin Clark, A'ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart, among others. The team will compete in pool play against China, Italy, and Czechia, with seven players, including Rhyne Howard and Aliyah Boston, making their World Cup debuts. The tournament is set to take place from September 4 to 13, 2026, with Team USA kicking off their campaign against China on September 4 at 7:15 a.m. CT.