Women's World Cup Tips Off in Berlin with Star-Studded Field

The 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup begins Friday in Berlin with 16 teams competing. Team USA has won four straight titles but will be without A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum due to injury. Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, and Angel Reese are set to make their major international tournament debuts.
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The tournament runs September 4–13 in Berlin, gathering 16 national squads from four continents. Team USA enters with an unmatched pedigree—nine titles in the last twelve editions and an unbeaten World Cup record since 2006. However, injuries to A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum remove two of the squad's most seasoned international contributors.
That absence opens room for younger talent. Bueckers, Clark, Reese, and Aliyah Boston all debut at this level, though the coaching staff historically leans on experienced leaders early. Clark