Who got snubbed from the Team USA roster for the 2026 FIBA World Cup?
USA TODAY Studio IX’s Callie Fin reveals the biggest women’s basketball names that are missing from Team USA’s roster for the 2026 FIBA World Cup.
The U.S. women’s basketball team begins play in the 2026 FIBA World Cup on Friday, Sept. 4, in Berlin.
Team USA opens group play on Friday against China. (8:15 a.m. ET, TNT/truTV/HBO Max). They will also play Italy and Czechia in the group stage, which runs through Sept. 7. The quarterfinal qualifiers are Sept. 8 and 9. The quarterfinals are Sept. 10 with semifinals on Sept. 12. The third-place and championship games are slated for Sept. 13.
The WNBA is on a break from Aug. 31 through Sept. 17 to accommodate the tournament.
Headlining Team USA — which will be coached by Duke women’s basketball head coach Kara Lawson — are veterans like four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and two-time MVP Breanna Stewart, as well as rising stars in women’s basketball like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese.
“The makeup of this roster is pretty straightforward,” said Sue Bird, managing director of USA Basketball Women’s National Team and a five-time Olympic gold medal winner. “I wanted to have a mixture of people with experience, a good mixture of people with youth.
“That sets us up for the future, as well. But also a team that complements each other and can go on the court and win gold. That is always the north star in all of these decisions that I’ve made.”
Team USA has won nine of the last 12 FIBA World Cups, including four in a row.
Here’s the full roster and breakdown of each player for Team USA at the 2026 FIBA World Cup in Germany:
FIBA Women’s World Cup Team USA roster
Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever
- Position: Center/Forward
- Height: 6-5
- Seasons in the WNBA: 4
Boston is averaging 16.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists for the Fever. She has been dealing with a lower left leg injury that has kept her out of four games this season. Boston is a dominant interior scorer, elite screener and high-efficiency finisher. She will be a defensive anchor in the paint, grabbing rebounds and blocking shots.
Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings
- Position: Guard
- Height: 6-0
- Seasons in the WNBA: 2
Bueckers is averaging 20.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists for the Wings. She is a combo guard, who can play the point or shooting guard. Bueckers has an elite basketball IQ, which she uses to score at all three levels. On defense, she generates steals through positioning and timing.
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
- Position: Guard
- Height: 6-0
- Seasons in the WNBA: 3
Clark is averaging 22.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 8.4 assists for the Fever. She is having a breakout season after missing all but 13 games last season after a series of soft tissue injuries. Clark is a generational playmaker, often seeing passing windows before they open. And don’t forget about the 3-pointer, which she can hit from 30 feet with ease.
Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
- Position: Forward
- Height: 6-1
- Seasons in the WNBA: 8
Collier is averaging 18.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists for the Lynx since returning to the court of July 22 after recovering from offseason surgery on both ankles. She is a two-way wing-forward who can impact every area of the game without dominating the ball. Collier can score at all three levels and defend the best player on the court, constantly producing steals and blocks.
Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury
- Position: Guard/Forward
- Height: 6-1
- Seasons in the WNBA: 11
Copper is averaging career-high 21.3 points to go with 3.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists for the Mercury. She is an explosive, relentless downhill attacker. Copper can score in transition and get to the free-throw line. She is also a solid on-ball defender, who uses her quickness and toughness to pressure to opposition.
Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas Aces
- Position: Guard
- Height: 5-11
- Seasons in the WNBA: 12
Gray is averaging 12 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.4 steals for the Aces. She is called the “point gawd” because of her ability to see passing lanes and manipulate defenders with her eyes, timing and footwork. A lethal half-court guard, she wins with basketball IQ rather than with straight skill and power.
Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
- Position: Guard
- Height: 6-2
- Seasons in the WNBA: 5
Howard is averaging 18.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.3 steals for the Dream. She is 6-foot-2 but has the skill set of a guard. Howard is an elite shooter and high-level defender. She is one of the most dangerous perimeter threats in the WNBA, making 3.4 3-pointers a game this season.
Kelsey Plum, Phoenix Mercury
- Position: Guard
- Height: 5-8
- Seasons in the WNBA: 10
Plum was traded from the Los Angeles Sparks to Phoenix Mercury on Aug. 2. She is averaging 21.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists this season but has been hampered by a lower left leg injury. Plum blends deep shooting range, constant movement, downhill attacks and elite competitiveness to put pressure on defenses.
Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream
- Position: Forward
- Height: 6-4
- Seasons in the WNBA: 3
Reese is averaging 16.1 points and 12. 8 rebounds a game this season for the Dream and just broke the WNBA record for most double-doubles in a season. She creates extra possessions through rebounding, hustle and physical play. Reese became the fastest player to reach 1,000 career rebounds in the WNBA, doing it in 79 games.
Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty
- Position: Forward
- Height: 6-4
- Seasons in the WNBA: 10
Stewart is averaging 20.4 points and 8.1 rebounds for the Liberty. She can score from the block, midrange and 3-point line, using her length and body control to score over smaller defenders. Stewart is also an elite defender, blocking and altering shots while exceling on closeouts, rotations and help-side coverage.
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
- Position: Center
- Height: 6-4
- Seasons in the WNBA: 9
Wilson is averaging 26 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals for the defending champion Aces. Likely to win her fifth WNBA MVP in 2026, she is arguably the best two-way player in the league. Wilson combines dominant scoring, elite rim protection, defensive versatility, rebounding, leadership and unmatched winning pedigree.
Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces
- Position: Guard
- Height: 6-0
- Seasons in the WNBA: 8
Young is averaging 18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists for the Aces. She is a physical two-way guard. Young has great body control and balance and is able to score 20 while guarding the best player on the opposing team.