Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson Headline Team USA Roster for 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup

The roster is set for the U.S. women’s national basketball team ahead of its next major tournament. On NBC’s Today show on Thursday morning, Team USA managing director Sue Bird unveiled the 12-player unit that will head to Berlin, Germany, in less than a month to compete in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.Headlining the roster — which will be coached by Duke women’s basketball head coach Kara Lawson — are veterans like four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and two-time MVP Breanna Stewart, along with rising stars Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese.“

This is an incredibly talented group that has earned the opportunity to compete in Berlin,” Bird said in a statement. “Wearing a USA jersey is a privilege, and I know these 12 players will embrace that responsibility as we go after another gold medal. I can’t wait to see what this team accomplishes together.”

MORE: Women's Basketball World Cup 2026: Full Schedule, Dates, Teams, Groups, Fixtures

Team USA’s Dominant History at the FIBA Women’s World Cup

Team USA has won nine of the last 12 FIBA World Cups, including four consecutive titles. A’ja Wilson was named MVP of the 2022 tournament in Sydney, Australia, after averaging 17.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. This will be the first time Wilson plays for Team USA since Lawson took over as head coach last September.The selection of Breanna Stewart marks her fourth World Cup appearance, making her just the third player in Team USA history to reach that milestone. Sue Bird appeared in five, while Diana Taurasi played in four.

Caitlin Clark and Rising Stars Make Their Mark

Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese will represent the senior U.S. national team for the second time. They previously competed under Lawson at the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in March in Puerto Rico. Clark earned tournament MVP honors after averaging 11.6 points and a tournament-best 6.4 assists per game while leading the Americans to a perfect 5-0 record.

Full Team USA Roster for the 2026 FIBA World Cup

Here is the complete 12-player roster:Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream

Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings

Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream

Kelsey Plum, Phoenix Mercury

Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury

Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces

Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty

Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx

Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever

Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas Aces

2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Schedule and Group Stage Opponents

Team USA begins group-stage play on September 4 against China. The Americans will then face Italy on September 6 and Czechia on September 7 before the knockout round begins. Historically, Team USA is 8-0 all-time against China, 1-1 against Italy, and 2-0 against Czechia.The WNBA season will pause during the World Cup. The gold medal game is scheduled for September 13, with WNBA games set to resume on September 17.

Kara Lawson’s Coaching Staff and Path to the 2028 Olympics

Lawson will coach Team USA through the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The last time the Summer Games were held in Los Angeles, Lawson’s college coach — the late Pat Summitt of Tennessee — led the Americans to their first Olympic gold medal.Beginning with the 1996 Games, Team USA has won eight consecutive Olympic gold medals. Lawson played on the 2008 gold-medal team and served as an assistant coach on the 2024 gold-medal squad led by Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve. She also head-coached the Team USA 3x3 squad that captured gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, a team that featured Kelsey Plum, who led that tournament in scoring.“It’s been a long process to whittle it down to 12 players, and I think that speaks to just the talent we have in our country across the board. These 12 have earned it through their play and their consistency,” Lawson said in a statement. “I think that’s what makes it even more special is the relationships that you have, and having worked with them in different capacities. I know what they’re capable of, and I know that this is a group that’s ready for the challenges that are ahead.”Assisting Lawson in Germany will be WNBA head coaches Stephanie White (Indiana Fever), Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries), and Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury). Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez and Duke assistant Tia Jackson will also serve on the staff as scouts.

How to Watch the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup?

The FIBA Women’s World Cup will be broadcast by TNT Sports and available to stream on HBO Max.

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