Team USA faces roster uncertainty ahead of FIBA Women’s World Cup opening

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Sep 5, 2026, 1:04 PM

Last updated Sep 5, 2026

Team USA faces roster uncertainty ahead of FIBA Women’s World Cup opening
Summary

Team USA prepares for its FIBA Women’s World Cup opener against China amid questions regarding its starting lineup and squad depth. The American roster will compete without veterans A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, who both withdrew due to injuries prior to the team's travel to Berlin. While the roster still includes players like Caitlin Clark, analysts have expressed skepticism regarding the team's dominance compared to international opponents. France has emerged as a significant threat in the tournament, boasting a roster that features eight WNBA players, including Gabby Williams, Janelle Salaun, and Dominique Malonga. Despite the ongoing speculation, USA Basketball has yet to announce an official starting lineup for the tournament. The opener against China is expected to present a physical challenge due to the opposing team's height advantage.

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Status Watch
  • A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum withdrew from the World Cup roster due to injuries.
  • Team France features eight players with WNBA experience on its tournament roster.
  • Team USA has not yet finalized or announced its official starting lineup.
  • The tournament opener for Team USA is scheduled against China.
  • Gabby Williams serves as a primary leader for the French national team.
Latest Updates
  • 1:04 PMYahoo SportsTeam USA Draws Skepticism From WNBA Reporter As France Emerges As Major Threat
What they're saying
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Team USA will be soon kicking off their World Cup schedule by battling it out with China in their opener. Facing the Chinese team will be slightly challenging for the Americans, mainly as a result of Team China having a bit of a height advantage. However, everyone is clearly waiting for Team USA to take [...]

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