FIBA Women’s World Cup, knockout stage, rules explained
USA TODAY Studio IX’s Callie Fin explains everything you need to know about the FIBA Women’s World Cup as Team USA enters the knockout stage.
Team USA is one step closer to winning its fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s World Cup after advancing to the knockout round, where they’ll face off against Hungary in the quarterfinals on Thursday, Sept. 10 (5:30 a.m. ET, TNT, HBO Max).
The Americans recorded a 3-0 record in the group stage, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Although USA cruised to a 94-61 win over China to open the tournament, they stumbled and escaped with a 55-52 win over Italy. The U.S. women answered with a dominant 105-64 rout of Czechia to sweep the group.
“When you have a performance that you’re not pleased with, the best thing to do is be honest and look at the areas you can improve and then grow and get better,” Team USA head coach Kara Lawson said following Monday’s win.
Breanna Stewart, who finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists against Czechia. Stewart was one of six Americans to reach double-digits in the win, including Angel Reese (13 pts), Napheesa Collier (12), Jackie Young (12), Paige Bueckers (10) and Sonia Citron (10).
“It’s do or die at this point,” Stewart said.
Team USA’s decades-long win streak of 33 games, dating back to 2006, is at stake. Euroleague MVP Dorka Juhasz will surely be on USA’s scouting report. The UConn alum and Minnesota Lynx center leads Hungary in scoring and boards, averaging 15.3 points per game and 11 rebounds, the third-highest in the tournament.
USA TODAY Sports is providing live updates for Thursday’s quarterfinal matchup between USA and Hungary. Here’s what you need to know:
Women’s World Cup: What time is USA vs. Hungary?
Team USA faces off against Hungary in the quarterfinal round of the FIBA Women’s World Cup at 5:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 10, at Berlin Arena in Berlin, Germany.
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 10
- Time: 5:30 a.m. ET (2:30 a.m. PT)
- Location: Berlin Arena (Berlin)
What TV channel is USA vs. Hungary on today?
TNT has the exclusive U.S. English-language rights. All games are streaming on HBOMax. Seventeen of those games air on TNT and truTV, including every U.S. game.
Team USA FIBA Women’s World Cup schedule
- Friday, Sept. 4: USA 94, China 61 | Full recap, highlights
- Sunday, Sept. 6: USA 55, Italy 52 | Full recap, highlights
- Monday, Sept. 7: USA 105, Czechia 64 | Full recap, highlights
- Thursday, Sept. 10: USA vs. Hungary (Quarterfinals) | TNT, HBO Max (5:30 a.m. ET)
The winner of each group will automatically advance to the quarterfinals on Thursday, Sept. 10 (TNT, truTV). The semifinals will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12 (TBS, truTV), followed by the third-place game and final on Sunday, Sept. 13 (TNT, truTV).
Amid criticism surrounding A’ja Wilson’s choice to miss the FIBA Women’s World Cup, the Las Vegas Aces are prioritizing the four-time WNBA MVP’s health.
“She’s needed some time, obviously,” Aces coach Becky Hamon told USA TODAY after practice on Wednesday, Sept. 9. “I still think she’s dealing with some back stuff. Some days it’s a little sorer than others.”
When the WNBA returns from the FIBA break on Sept. 17, Hammon expects Wilson to be in position to help the Aces in the final four games of the regular season. With victories, the Aces should maintain the third seed and be prepared to defend their championship. Read more.
Who is favored to win the FIBA World Cup?
Team USA is favored to win the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, according to the latest odds from BetMGM. France, which has breezed through to the semifinals, is also a serious contender but the Americans are the only team with minus-odds.
Head coach: Péter Völgyi
| Pos. | No. | Name | Age | Height | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 2 | Virág Kiss | 28 | 6’4″ | Valencia Basket |
| PG | 7 | Veronika Kányási | 27 | 5’10” | DVTK |
| G | 8 | Eszter Rátkai | 19 | 5’10” | KSC Szekszárd |
| G | 9 | Ágnes Studer | 27 | 5’6″ | PEAC-Pécs |
| PG | 10 | Nina Aho | 29 | 5’9″ | DVTK |
| C | 11 | Kinga Josepovits | 18 | 6’5″ | PEAC-Pécs |
| PF | 13 | Ágnes Török | 28 | 6’0″ | PEAC-Pécs |
| F | 14 | Dorka Juhász | 26 | 6’5″ | Minnesota Lynx |
| SG | 21 | Réka Lelik | 27 | 5’10” | DVTK |
| G | 22 | Yvonne Turner | 38 | 5’10” | Valencia Basket |
| G | 33 | Panka Dúl | 25 | 5’10” | PEAC-Pécs |
| PF | 55 | Judit Barnai | 32 | 6’2″ | Ceglédi EKK |
USA roster
- Head coach: Kara Lawson
- Assistant coaches: Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts, Stephanie White
| Pos. | No. | Name | Age | Height | Club |
| G | 4 | Paige Bueckers | 24 | 6’0″ | Dallas Wings |
| G | 5 | Sonia Citron | 22 | 6’1″ | Washington Mystics |
| SF | 6 | Rhyne Howard | 25 | 6’2″ | Atlanta Dream |
| G/F | 7 | Kahleah Copper | 32 | 6’1″ | Phoenix Mercury |
| G | 8 | Chelsea Gray | 33 | 5’11” | Las Vegas Aces |
| PF | 9 | Kiki Iriafen | 23 | 6’3″ | Washington Mystics |
| PF | 10 | Breanna Stewart | 32 | 6’3″ | New York Liberty |
| SF | 11 | Napheesa Collier | 29 | 6’1″ | Minnesota Lynx |
| G | 12 | Caitlin Clark | 24 | 6’0″ | Indiana Fever |
| G | 13 | Jackie Young | 28 | 6’0″ | Las Vegas Aces |
| C | 14 | Aliyah Boston | 24 | 6’5″ | Indiana Fever |
| PF | 15 | Angel Reese | 24 | 6’3″ | Atlanta Dream |
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