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Li Yueru misses FIBA World Cup after passport is lost in mail

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 3, 2026, 2:25 AM

Last updated Sep 3, 2026

Li Yueru misses FIBA World Cup after passport is lost in mail

Summary

Dallas Wings center Li Yueru will not play in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin after her passport was lost in the mail. The 27-year-old athlete confirmed she could not secure the necessary documentation to travel from the United States to join her team. This absence forces China to adjust its interior rotation before its tournament opener against Team USA on Friday. Li, who averaged 17.7 points and 11 rebounds for China during the 2024 Paris Olympics, provided a significant presence in the paint. China now faces the tournament favorites without their leading interior defender and rebounder. The World Cup begins on September 4 and continues through September 13 with 16 teams participating in the field.

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Status Watch

•Li Yueru misses the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup following a lost passport.
•The tournament opens in Berlin on September 4.
•China faces Team USA in its first match of the tournament this Friday.
•Li played for the Chicago Sky, Los Angeles Sparks, Seattle Storm, and Dallas Wings.

Latest Updates

2:25 AMYahoo Sports — Lost passport delivers crushing World Cup blow before China faces Team USA

What they're saying

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China was already facing a huge challenge against Team USA. A lost passport has now taken one of its most important players out of the World Cup.
— Yahoo Sports

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