Dallas Wings center Li Yueru will not represent China at the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup after her passport went missing in the mail. The 27-year-old broke the news Wednesday on Instagram, just days before China's opener against USA Basketball in Berlin.
Li Yueru Disappointed After Passport Lost in Mail
"We've all been working hard together and exploring every possible solution, but maybe we were just a little short on luck this time," Li wrote. "Sometimes, disappointment is simply part of life. I'm sad that I won't be able to be there this time."
The loss is especially tough to swallow considering Li's recent national team form.
At the 2022 FIBA World Cup, the 6-foot-7 center anchored China's silver-medal run, finishing the championship game with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Then at the 2024 Paris Olympics, she carried the scoring load, averaging 17.7 points per game while adding 11 rebounds, though China couldn't get out of pool play.
Now, her teammates head into a challenging group that also includes Italy and Czechia without one of their most proven international players.
China tips off against the US on Friday, September 4th, at 8:15 AM ET on TNT.
