WNBA pauses schedule for FIBA World Cup as players join national teams
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 2:50 PM
Last updated Aug 31, 2026
The WNBA has entered an international hiatus to accommodate the 2026 FIBA World Cup taking place in Germany from September 4 through September 13. While some players departed early for training camps, the majority of the league began its scheduled break on August 31. Teams facing significant roster absences include the New York Liberty, which expects to be without six players during the competition. The collective bargaining agreement mandates a seven-day vacation for players not participating in the tournament, though teams remain limited in their practice time throughout the period. This scheduling adjustment comes as the league balances an expanded 44-game regular season with international obligations. FIBA has already approved plans to move the tournament to November and December starting in 2030 to avoid future calendar conflicts.
- •The 2026 FIBA World Cup features a 16-team draw held in Germany.
- •WNBA teams must provide a mandatory seven-day vacation to non-competing players.
- •League teams are limited to seven practices per week during the hiatus.
- •The 2026 tournament concludes on September 13.
- 6:01 PMYahoo Sports — Why isn’t the WNBA playing for 2 weeks? Here’s what to know about the FIBA World Cup
- 2:50 PMYahoo Sports — How FIBA World Cup impacts WNBA players at home and abroad, creates opportunity that's 'good for our league'
"Looking at the WNBA schedule and wondering why there’s a two-week gap in games? That’s because from Monday to Sept. 16 the league is taking a hiatus for the women’s basketball FIBA World Cup where a cohort of its best players will be competing with their respective national teams. Players began arriving in Berlin this week with the tournament’s group stages set to tip off on Sept. 4. This break is a standard procedure during any World Cup year, but this season as the pool of international talent
"As the WNBA enters the FIBA World Cup break, teams are getting some rest and preparing for a final playoff push.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 6:01 PMWhy isn’t the WNBA playing for 2 weeks? Here’s what to know about the FIBA World Cup
Looking at the WNBA schedule and wondering why there’s a two-week gap in games? That’s because from Monday to Sept. 16 the league is taking a hiatus for the women’s basketball FIBA World Cup where a cohort of its best players will be competing with their respective national teams. Players began arriving in Berlin this week with the tournament’s group stages set to tip off on Sept. 4. This break is a standard procedure during any World Cup year, but this season as the pool of international talent
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 2:50 PMHow FIBA World Cup impacts WNBA players at home and abroad, creates opportunity that's 'good for our league'
As the WNBA enters the FIBA World Cup break, teams are getting some rest and preparing for a final playoff push.
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