Clark, Reese, Bueckers Set for World Cup Debuts

Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers will make their World Cup debuts with the U.S. women's national team next month, USA Basketball announced.

The three young stars headline a 12-player roster that will try to win a 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 World Cup debuts.

"I'm so excited to announce the 2026 USA Basketball Women's National Team," said Sue Bird, the national team managing director. "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."

It is the first time USA Basketball has had a managing director select the team; the roster was previously chosen by a committee. Kara Lawson will coach the squad.

Stewart becomes 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 Americans will face China, Italy and the Czech Republic in pool play. The tournament runs Sept. 4-13 in Berlin, and the WNBA will pause its season for nearly three weeks to accommodate the event.

Clark, Bueckers and Reese helped the U.S. win a World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico in March.

Among the notable omissions is Sabrina Ionescu, a fixture on U.S. rosters in recent years, who was left off this team. Alyssa Thomas, who helped the Americans win gold at the Paris Olympics, has not taken part in any USA Basketball camps since. Minnesota rookie Olivia Miles also had not attended a USA camp.