USA Basketball has done it again, overcoming a 14-point deficit to take down France 97-79 on Sunday and win a fifth straight FIBA Women’s World Cup title.
Veteran forward Breanna Stewart earned 2026 World Cup MVP after notching a 22-point, 10-assist double-double against Les Bleus. She becomes the tournament’s first-ever two-time MVP.
“I pride myself on being consistent, and that’s showing up when it’s the big moments and the small moments and all the moments in between,“ Stewart said.
A commanding performance against the 2024 Olympic silver medalist cemented Team USA’s global dominance — despite some close calls.
The event also set the stage for the 2028 LA Olympics, with young stars Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers gaining key experience.
“After we had that close game with Italy, [Stewart] was somebody that was really vocal in the locker room about, ‘Don’t be flustered by this. This is normal,’” Clark said. “It’s not always going to be pretty.”
Players now return to the WNBA, tipping off the final week of the 2026 regular season this Thursday.
