The WNBA season is coming to a screeching halt for two weeks because of the Fiba Women’s World Cup, which runs from 4-13 September in Berlin. Yes, it’s weird timing this close to the playoffs, but also yes, the World Cup is really important.
Maybe you’re reading this thinking about how the Atlanta Dream have won five of their last six games and need to keep riding the momentum, but I personally will never say no to more women’s basketball. You get to watch your favorite W players compete on the world stage, you get to watch Olympic-level competition in a non-Olympic year, and you get a reminder that Dominique Malonga could dunk in a World Cup game while repping France. All of the tournament’s games will stream live on HBO Max, with select games airing on TNT and TruTV. Consider this your all-in primer to get you hyped to keep watching hoops during this WNBA hiatus.
OK, so what is the World Cup again?
The Fiba Women’s Basketball World Cup is held every four years and features the world’s best national teams competing for a gold medal. The US have earned gold at four straight World Cups and have won 11 titles overall.
Are they playing for anything other than glory and bragging rights?
The winner of the World Cup will automatically qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. There are other pre-qualifying tournaments (EuroBasket, Asia Cup, AmeriCup, and AfroBasket) next year, and then the final spots will be secured at the Fiba Olympic qualifying tournament in February 2028.
As hosts, the US automatically qualified for the Olympics, so if they win the World Cup, another qualifying spot will be added at the February 2028 tournament.
Who is on Team USA?
The team consists of 12 roster spots, selected by USA Basketball’s general manager, Sue Bird. Kara Lawson is the head coach, with Stephanie White, Nate Tibbetts and Natalie Nakase as assistants.
Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever
Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings
Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury
Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas Aces
Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics
Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream
Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty
Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces
Wait, no Kelsey Plum or A’ja Wilson?!
It was announced Monday morning that both Plum and Wilson – two-time World Cup gold medalists – will not participate due to health reasons, with Plum also missing the remainder of the WNBA season with an injury.
Who are the USA’s biggest competition?
France. During the 2024 Olympics, the French came within one point of snatching gold away from the Americans. It was a wake-up call about just how good international competition is getting. France will be led by a slew of top WNBA talent, including Gabby Williams (Golden State Valkyries), Janelle Salaün (Golden State Valkyries), Dominique Malonga (Seattle Storm), Marine Johannès (New York Liberty) and Pauline Astier (New York Liberty).
OK, I’m so ready. When does it start and where can I watch?
This year’s tournament has a new format, with each team playing three group-stage games. The first-place team in each group automatically advances to the quarter-finals; second- and third-place teams must play an additional play-in game; and fourth place is automatically eliminated. You can watch games via HBO Max, TNT and truTV.
Tournament schedule
Group stage: 4-7 September
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Qualification/play-in round: 8-9 September
Quarter-finals: 10 September
Semi-finals: 12 September
Third-place game: 13 September (10.30am ET)
Championship: 13 September (2pm ET)
Groups
Group A: Germany, Spain, Japan, Mali
Group B: France, Nigeria, South Korea, Hungary
Group C: Australia, Belgium, Puerto Rico, Turkey
Group D: USA, China, Italy, Czechia
Does this mean the regular WNBA season is over?
Games return on 17 September, and there will be roughly one week of regular-season play to shake off any rust before the WNBA playoffs begin 27 September. All eight WNBA playoff spots have already been clinched, so the final stretch is zeroed in on seeding and home-court advantage. Just three games separated the No 3 and No 8 seeds heading into the break, so there will still be plenty to root for.
Team USA’s upcoming schedule
Friday 4 September, 8.15am ET, HBO Max
Team USA’s first matchup is against fourth-ranked China, who finished second at the 2022 World Cup. New York Liberty center Han Xu (Liberty) is expected to play major roles in their bid for gold.
Sunday 6 September, 2.45pm ET, HBO Max
Golden State Valkyries forward Cecilia Zandalasini will star on Italy’s roster, leading her team at their first World Cup since 1994.
Monday 7 September, 2.45pm ET, HBO Max
It’s been 12 years since Czechia have competed at a World Cup, and they’re doing it in the highest-ranked group. Minnesota Lynx guard Eliska Joklova will be competing for Romana Ptackova’s Lionesses.
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This is an extract from WNBA 30, where Jordan Robinson covers the biggest stories in the league on and off the court each week. Subscribe for free here.
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