USA Drawn With China, Italy, Czechs for World Cup

By Eppe Franklyne

The USA women’s basketball team will face China, Italy, and the Czech Republic in the upcoming FIBA Women’s World Cup, as they aim to secure a fifth straight title. The tournament will run from September 4 to 13 in Berlin, with the WNBA pausing its season for nearly three weeks to allow players to compete.

The Americans enter the competition as dominant champions, having won the last four editions since 2010. Their most recent triumph came in 2022, when they defeated China in the final. With strong momentum, the USA women’s basketball team will again be one of the favourites in Berlin.

This year’s squad could feature an exciting mix of youth and experience. Rising stars Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese are expected to play key roles alongside seasoned players A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. The younger trio recently helped the team secure victory at a qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico.

Placed in Group D, the USA women’s basketball team will compete in an expanded tournament format featuring 16 teams, the largest field since 2018. Each group winner will move directly into the quarter-finals, while second- and third-placed teams will battle for the remaining knockout spots.

The event builds on the success of the 2022 edition in Australia, which drew strong global interest in women’s basketball.

GROUPS

• Group A: Japan, Spain, Germany, Mali
• Group B: Hungary, Korea, Nigeria, France
• Group C: Belgium, Australia, Puerto Rico, Türkiye
• Group D: USA, Czechia, Italy, China

Can the USA women’s basketball team extend their dominance and claim a fifth consecutive world title?