It’s official: When Team USA takes the court for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup next month, the lineup will be stacked.Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Aliyah Boston will make their debut in a major international competition, joining veteran stalwarts A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, among others on the star-studded roster.
The tournament will take place from Sept. 4-13 in Berlin, and the WNBA will break from Aug. 31 until Sept. 16 so that players can participate. Beginning in 2030, the FIBA World Cup will take place after the WNBA season, in the November-December window.
“I’m so excited to announce the 2026 USA Basketball Women’s National Team,” USA Basketball Women’s National Team managing director Sue Bird mentioned. “This is an incredibly talented group that has earned the opportunity to compete in Berlin. 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.”
The U.S. women’s national basketball team is one of the most dominant teams in all of sports. They will be seeking a fifth straight World Cup championship, 12th overall, and haven’t lost in international competition since the 2006 World Cup.
| PLAYER | WNBA TEAM | POSITION | AGE | HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Aliyah Boston |
Fever |
F/C |
24 | 6-5 |
|
Paige Bueckers |
Wings |
G |
24 | 6-0 |
|
Caitlin Clark |
Fever |
G |
24 | 6-0 |
|
Napheesa Collier |
Lynx |
F |
29 | 6-1 |
|
Kahleah Copper |
Mercury |
G/F |
31 | 6-1 |
|
Chelsea Gray |
Aces |
G |
33 | 5-11 |
|
Rhyne Howard |
Dream |
G |
26 | 6-2 |
|
Kelsey Plum |
Mercury |
G |
31 | 5-8 |
|
Angel Reese |
Dream |
F |
24 | 6-3 |
|
Breanna Stewart |
Liberty |
F |
31 | 6-4 |
|
A’ja Wilson |
Aces |
F |
29 | 6-5 |
|
Jackie Young |
Aces |
G |
28 | 6-0 |
This will be the first major tournament for head coach Kara Lawson, who will be assisted by Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries), Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury) and Stephanie White (Indiana Fever).
“It’s great to have a team and to have a roster,” Lawson mentioned. “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. I couldn’t be more excited about working with each of them, and I’ve had good experience with each of them.”
