USA Basketball just dropped its 12-player squad for the 2026 Women’s FIBA World Cup, and let me tell you, this team is absolutely stacked. The goal? To bring home a fifth straight World Cup title. Headlining this powerhouse roster are the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson, the Atlanta Dream’s Angel Reese, and the Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers. This is the lineup trying to make history, no doubt.
A’ja Wilson’s Legacy and Fresh Faces Ready to Shine
You know A’ja Wilson is built different. Four years ago, she was the absolute standout for Team USA, leading them in points with 17.2 and boards with 7.5, earning herself the World Cup MVP. Since then, she’s gone full GOAT mode, racking up two more WNBA titles and two more MVPs. Another huge World Cup performance? That just cements her legend status even further. The managing director, Sue Bird, really nailed the balance, blending seasoned vets with serious young talent. We’re talking about Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and Aliyah Boston, all of whom are set to rock their first major tournament for the U.S. How exciting is that?
The Snub Heard ‘Round the League: Olivia Miles Misses Out
Remember all the chatter when Caitlin Clark missed the 2024 Summer Olympics squad? It was a massive talking point, but honestly, with only 12 WNBA games under her belt then, it was a defensible call. Fast forward to now? No question about her spot. Clark was the MVP of the spring’s World Cup qualifiers and is dropping 21.5 points and dishing out 8.0 assists for the Fever this year. She’s earned it. But here’s the kicker: Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles got snubbed, passed over for guards with more experience. This kid is averaging 19.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.8 rebounds, and her Lynx squad has the WNBA’s best record at 25-6! Miles is arguably the strongest contender to deny Wilson’s quest for a fifth MVP, yet she’ll likely have to wait until the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles for her shot. Ouch.
The United States rolls into the World Cup as the undisputed favorite. Sure, the rest of the world is closing the gap , France nearly took the gold medal game to overtime at the 2024 Olympics , but nobody, and I mean nobody, can match the sheer depth of American talent. Team USA tips off its tournament on September 4 against China, followed by group stage games against Italy on September 6 and the Czech Republic on September 7. Make sure you clear your calendar! All USA games will be on TNT and HBO Max, with every single one of the 36 tournament games streaming live on HBO Max. You won’t want to miss a second of this!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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