The official roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup is out, and Team USA is heading to Berlin stacked with talent. Four major stars are making their debut on the international stage: Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, and Aliyah Boston will don the red, white, and blue for the first time in a major tournament, joining veteran powerhouses like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Napheesa Collier.
Young Stars and Veteran Firepower Ready for Berlin
This lineup includes the Fever’s 24-year-old guard Caitlin Clark and teammate Aliyah Boston, a 24-year-old forward/center. The Wings’ 24-year-old guard Paige Bueckers and the Dream’s 24-year-old forward Angel Reese are also making their anticipated debuts. They are joining a formidable squad that includes the Lynx’s 29-year-old forward Napheesa Collier, the Mercury’s Kahleah Copper, the Aces’ Chelsea Gray, the Dream’s Rhyne Howard, the Mercury’s Kelsey Plum, the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart, the Aces’ A’ja Wilson, and the Aces’ Jackie Young.
The tournament itself kicks off next month, running from September 4-13 in Berlin. The WNBA is even taking a break from August 31 until September 16, so players can participate. Head coach Kara Lawson leads her first major tournament, assisted by Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts, and Stephanie White. Lawson expressed excitement, saying, “It’s been a long process to whittle it down to 12 players, and I think that speaks to just the talent we have in our country across the board.”
The Shocking Snubs and Tough Calls
Even with such an incredible roster, some serious talent got left off, leaving many scratching their heads. Names like Olivia Miles, Sabrina Ionescu, and Alyssa Thomas didn’t make the cut. USA Basketball Women’s National Team managing director Sue Bird didn’t shy away from how tough these decisions were. “I knew taking this job that I’d be sitting here one day talking to you all about whatever player it was who didn’t get selected, and it’s the hard part,” Bird stated, acknowledging it’s “the best problem to have because of all the talent.”
This World Cup, while perhaps not as prestigious as the Olympics, still demanded full commitment. There were questions about whether big names, like Wilson, Clark, and Stewart, would skip out due to the busy WNBA schedule and added mileage before the playoffs. But it looks like everyone invited is showing up, ready to represent. As Bird confirmed, “This is the roster that I and all of us at USA Basketball want to and will be taking to Berlin.”
So, mark your calendars for September! Team USA is going for gold, and with these fresh faces mixing with proven champions, it’s going to be wild to see how this incredible blend of talent performs on the global stage. Berlin, here they come!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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