Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers will make their World Cup debuts as members of the U.S. women's national team next month. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
The trio will try to help the U.S. win its fifth consecutive FIBA World Cup title. They will be joined by Olympic medalists A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper and Kelsey Plum. Rhyne Howard and Aliyah Boston will also be making their World Cup debuts to round out the team.
"I'm so excited to announce the 2026 USA Basketball Women's National Team," USA Basketball national team managing director Sue Bird said. "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."
This is the first time that USA Basketball had a managing director choose the team. In the past it was a committee. Kara Lawson will coach the squad.
Stewart is the third player in USA Basketball history to appear in four World Cup tournaments, joining Bird, who played in five, and Diana Taurasi, who also played in four.
The World Cup will be held from Sept. 4-13 in Berlin. The Americans will face China, Italy and the Czech Republic in pool play. The WNBA will take a nearly three-week break in its season to accommodate the event.