The US is gunning for gold, as the reigning champion tips off the 2026 FIBA World Cup tomorrow hunting a fifth straight title behind nine tournament debutants.
First-timers Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers headline the group, with USA Basketball entering as the favorite despite losing vets A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum to health concerns.
The expanded 16-team format cuts the preliminary round down to three games, with the US drawn into Group D alongside China, Italy, and Czechia.
Team USA could face its toughest FIBA test yet, with more than 25 global WNBA stars suiting up for their countries this month.
France and host nation Germany loom as major threats, with China, Belgium, Australia, and Spain primed to play dark horse.
“The depth of these rosters is really strong, which is exciting,” said US coach Kara Lawson. “It should be hard to win — it’s a World Cup.”
The FIBA World Cup tips off tomorrow with Japan vs Mali at 5:30 AM ET, before the US takes on China at 8:15 AM ET (TNT).
