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See the full story · 3 sourcesUSA FIBA World Cup roster: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese headline star-studded 2026 U.S. women's team originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The U.S. women's basketball team has long been considered the best in the world. It will look to maintain its place at the top of the totem pole at the 2026 FIBA World Cup.
Team USA is the most dominant team in the competition's history, winning 11 of its 19 tournaments. The Americans have trotted to the top of the podium on four straight occasions, cementing their status as the world's finest side.
After claiming a title in dramatic fashion during the 2024 Olympics, the Americans will attempt to retain their status in this year's tourney. They're calling the big guns to do so, with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers all slated to get a chance to make their mark in their first senior international competitions.
With that, here's a look at Team USA's roster for the 2026 World Cup.
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USA FIBA World Cup women's basketball roster
Clark, Reese and Bueckers are the headliners of the 12-woman unit. They're joined by a handful of other notable talents, including three-time Olympic gold medalist Breanna Stewart and A'ja Wilson, the World Cup's MVP in 2022.
Here's how the rest of the U.S.'s roster shapes up.
Name Team Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever A'ja Wilson Las Vegas Aces Rhyne Howard Atlanta Dream Jackie Young Las Vegas Aces Paige Bueckers Dallas Wings Aliyah Boston Indiana Fever Chelsea Gray Las Vegas Aces Kelsey Plum Phoenix Mercury Kahleah Copper Phoenix Mercury Breanna Stewart New York Liberty Napheesa Collier Minnesota Lynx Angel Reese Atlanta Dream Who coaches the U.S. women's basketball team?
The U.S. roster will be helmed by Kara Lawson, who took the reins of the side in 2025, replacing the outgoing Cheryl Reeve. Lawson has experience on the sidelines, serving as Duke's coach. She previously served as an assistant for the Celtics prior to joining the Blue Devils and featured on Reeve's 2024 Olympics staff as an assistant, helping guide the U.S. to gold.
Here's who will join Lawson on the U.S.'s bench during the 2026 World Cup.
Name Role Team Kara Lawson Head coach Duke Natalie Nakase Assistant coach Golden State Valkyries Nate Tibbetts Assistant coach Phoenix Mercury Stephanie White Assistant coach Indiana Fever Sue Bird Managing director — MORE: What to know about Sophie Cunningham rallies, protests
USA Olympics men's basketball roster
James and Durant are the headliners for the 2024 USA Olympics roster, as reported Tuesday by The Athletic's Shams Charania . Here's how the rest of the 12-player roster shapes up.
USA Basketball confirmed the 12-man roster on Wednesday, cementing a group that will head to Paris with unquestioned gold medal expectations.
Name Team Bam Adebayo Miami Heat Devin Booker Phoenix Suns Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors Anthony Davis Los Angeles Lakers Kevin Durant Phoenix Suns Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Anthony Edwards Minnesota Timberwolves Tyrese Haliburton Indiana Pacers Jrue Holiday Boston Celtics LeBron James Los Angeles Lakers Kawhi Leonard Los Angeles Clippers Jayson Tatum Boston Celtics Kawhi Leonard earned the final spot on Team USA, as USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt reported .
Who coaches the U.S. men's basketball team?
This will be the first Olympics under new head coach Steve Kerr. Gregg Popovich retired from the position after Team USA won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Even without Popovich, the coaching staff remains extremely talented. Mark Few, Tyronn Lue and Erik Spoelstra round out the assistant coaches, and Grant Hill is the team's managing director.
Name Role Team Steve Kerr Head coach Golden State Warriors Mark Few Assistant coach Gonzaga Tyronn Lue Assistant coach Los Angeles Clippers Erik Spoelstra Assistant coach Miami Heat Grant Hill Managing director — Team USA women's basketball World Cup history
The United States have tended to shine in international competition, particularly when World Cup glory is up for grabs. The U.S. women's team has been the competition's most successful side, draping its neck in gold 11 times.
That's not to say those outside the U.S. are not improving; France nearly upset the Stars and Stripes during the 2024 Olympic final. Nevertheless, Team USA has remained the preeminent force in international tournaments as of late. Given the firepower on display in Lawson's ranks, there's a good chance that reputation continues to shine through at this year's World Cup.
Here's a look at the U.S. women's outing
Year Site Result 1953 Chile Gold 1957 Brazil Gold 1959 Soviet Union DNP 1964 Peru Fourth 1967 Czechoslovakia 11th 1971 Brazil Eighth 1975 Colombia Eighth 1979 South Korea Gold 1983 Brazil Silver 1986 Soviet Union Gold 1990 Malaysia Gold 1994 Australia Bronze 1998 Germany Gold 2002 China Gold 2006 Brazil Bronze 2010 Czech Republic Gold 2014 Turkey Gold 2018 Spain Gold 2022 Australia Gold Team USA basketball 2026 World Cup schedule
Team USA qualified for the World Cup by winning the 2025 Women's AmeriCup. Lawson's team will start its campaign with a tilt against China on Sept. 7. The group stage will run from Sept. 4-7, with the field slimming from 16 to 12 ahead of the qualification round. Group winners will automatically gain entry into the quarterfinals, while group runner-ups and third-place teams will take part in the qualification.
Date Game Time (ET) TV channel Sept. 4 USA vs. China 8:15 a.m. TNT Sept. 6 Italy vs. USA 2:45 p.m. TNT Sept. 7 USA vs. Czech Republic 2:45 p.m. TNT
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