Sue Bird prepares U.S. women's national team for World Cup
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 3, 2026, 5:25 PM
Last updated Sep 3, 2026
Sue Bird enters her first tournament as the managing director of the U.S. women's national team as the squad prepares for its opening game against China on Friday. Bird, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, transitioned to this front-office role approximately 16 months ago. The roster includes veterans such as Breanna Stewart alongside newcomers including Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese. Following the late absences of A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum due to health concerns, Bird adjusted the team composition to fill those voids. Bird remains under contract with USA Basketball through the Los Angeles Olympics in two years.
- •Sue Bird serves as the first managing director of the U.S. women's national team.
- •The team faces China on Friday in its World Cup opener.
- •A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum were ruled out for health reasons prior to the tournament.
- •Napheesa Collier joins the roster for her World Cup debut.
- •Bird is signed to lead the team through the Los Angeles Olympics.
- 5:25 PMYahoo Sports — Sue Bird faces a new kind of pressure as managing director of US women's national team
"Sue Bird started building a potential World Cup roster in her head soon after she got the job as the first managing director of the U.S. women's national team nearly 16 months ago. Bird feels a different kind of pressure than she did as a player for the U.S. during her incredible playing career, during which she helped the Americans win five Olympic gold medals and four World Cup championships. “It’s my decisions I have to stand on and I feel really confident with this team,” Bird said.
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