In the absence of a few veteran stars, the U.S. roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup features half of the team making global championship debuts.
The U.S. looks to extend a win streak of 66 games between Olympic and World Cup play dating to its last defeat in the 2006 Worlds semifinals to Russia.
Here’s a look at the 12 U.S. players at the quadrennial World Cup — the biggest international tournament before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — which runs from Sept. 4-13 in Berlin:
Team USA Women’s Basketball FIBA World Cup full roster 2026
Here’s the U.S. roster for the World Cup:
Aliyah Boston
Paige Bueckers
Sonia Citron
Caitlin Clark
Napheesa Collier
Kahleah Copper
Chelsea Gray
Rhyne Howard
Kiki Iriafen
Angel Reese
Breanna Stewart
Jackie Young
Who isn’t playing for Team USA at the 2026 FIBA World Cup?
The U.S. is without A’ja Wilson — the reigning Olympic, World Cup, WNBA and WNBA Finals MVP — and fellow Olympic gold medalist Kelsey Plum. Both made the original roster but withdrew due to health reasons.
Brittney Griner, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, wasn’t named to the original roster on Aug. 6. At that time, she had not played a WNBA game since July 19 due to a knee injury.
Sabrina Ionescu, Jewell Loyd and Alyssa Thomas are also not on the team after playing at the most recent Olympic and World Cup tournaments.
Breanna Stewart: USA Basketball veteran leader
Stewart made her World Cup debut in 2014 — in between her sophomore and junior seasons at UConn — and has played at each of the last three Olympics and three World Cups. She was MVP of the World Cup in 2018 and the Olympics in 2021.
Stewart, now 32, has the most international experience among U.S. players after Diana Taurasi’s retirement.
Her national team resume sticks out even more on this team in the absence of veterans Wilson, Plum, Griner, Ionescu, Loyd and Thomas.
Class of 2020: Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese
Bueckers, Clark and Reese — all in the high school class of 2020 — make their senior global championship debuts at this World Cup.
They were all on the national team back in March for a tournament in Puerto Rico. Each started once over the five games. Clark led the team in points, assists and minutes. Bueckers had the most steals. Reese was the leading rebounder.
Clark wears No. 12, which was Taurasi’s number at the last six Olympics.
Bueckers has No. 4, which another legendary guard, Teresa Edwards, wore at her five Olympics from 1984 through 2000.
Reese is No. 12, which was worn by two legendary bigs before her — Griner for three Olympics and before that Candace Parker for two Games.
Then there’s Aliyah Boston, who at 6-5 is the tallest player on the team. With the 6-9 Griner and 6-4 Wilson absent, Boston could be called on to play key minutes in the paint.
Napheesa Collier, Chelsea Gray bring Olympic experience
Collier and Gray, plus Jackie Young and Kahleah Copper, could all see their roles from the 2024 Olympics expand at the 2026 World Cup. Collier and Gray already started all six games at the Paris Olympics.
Collier, WNBA MVP runner-up to Wilson in 2024 and 2025, was third in minutes on the 2024 Olympic team behind Wilson and Stewart.
Gray, the oldest player on the 2026 World Cup team at 33, succeeded Sue Bird as the starting point guard, leading the team in assists per game at the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics.
Young started three games in Paris, taking over for Taurasi at shooting guard in the playoffs. She was third on the team in points behind Wilson and Stewart.
Copper, after coming off the bench in Paris, led the team in points per game at the tournament in Puerto Rico in March.
The U.S. can also count on another Olympian — Rhyne Howard, who won bronze in the 3x3 event in Paris.
Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen replace A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum
Citron and Iriafen, Washington Mystics teammates, were called in the week before the start of the tournament to replace Wilson and Plum. They are the youngest players on the team at ages 22 and 23.
Citron makes her senior national team debut. Iriafen debuted at the March tournament in Puerto Rico, making this her first global championship.
