Full Breakdown
USA Women’s Basketball Wins Fifth Straight World Cup, Sets Stage for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
By Drooid · · How we work
The Championship Game
On a Sunday in early September 2026, Team USA defeated France 97-79 in the final of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin. Breanna Stewart posted a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double and was named tournament MVP; Jackie Young added 18 points, six rebounds and five assists and earned player-of-the-game honors. France entered the final after an 86-64 semifinal win over host Germany, but could not match the Americans’ second-half surge, highlighted by a 30-12 third-quarter run.
Background & Context
Team USA entered the tournament on a 66-game win streak dating to the 2006 World Cup semifinals and has won every World Cup since 2010. The 2026 edition was the largest women’s basketball event between now and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, marking the program’s first major title opportunity on home soil since 1996.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: USA 97, France 79.
- Stewart: 22 points, 10 rebounds (tournament MVP).
- Young: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists (player of the game).
- USA’s tournament averages: 26 points per game, 12-point margin of victory.
- Attendance record: 236,015 fans in Berlin, averaging 6,556 per game.
- France earned its first World Cup silver; Spain captured bronze.
Official Statements & Responses
Managing director Sue Bird was identified as the official responsible for final roster decisions ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
Projected 2028 Olympic Roster
Analysts project a 12-player roster blending veterans and emerging talent:
- Veterans expected to return: Breanna Stewart, Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Napheesa Collier, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young.
- Rising stars likely to make the squad: Caitlin Clark, Olivia Miles, Rhyne Howard, JuJu Watkins, and potentially Kiki Iriafen.
Three spots remain open, with speculation focusing on whether Sue Bird will favor seasoned players such as Kahleah Copper over less-experienced options. Injuries, as seen with A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum’s absences from the World Cup, could also influence final selections.
On-the-Ground Perspective
Seven players—Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, Rhyne Howard, Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Kiki Iriafen, and Sonia Citron—made their senior national-team debut at the tournament, providing depth for future cycles.
Verbatim Quotes
- “And as far as unity, I think unity is not just exclusive to the women’s basketball community,” — Kiki Iriafen.
- “We’ve played against each other so many times, so I’m sure we know each other’s game like the back of each other’s hand,” — Angel Reese
- “She dishes it off to me, I got one to her today, so, it’s fun. We just continue to build chemistry because we know we’re going to be USA teammates for a while.” — Caitlin Clark
What’s Next
Team USA will transition back to the WNBA season before beginning Olympic-year training camps. Sue Bird and Kara Lawson are expected to finalize the 2028 roster over the next two years, balancing veteran leadership with the development of the “young and turnt” cohort that includes Clark, Reese and Bueckers.
The victory reinforces the United States’ position as the preeminent force in women’s basketball and sets a high bar for the upcoming Los Angeles Olympic campaign.