The United States women’s national basketball team is one win away from extending one of the most dominant runs in international sports. Team USA enters the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup championship game with a 5–0 record after defeating China, Italy, Czechia, Hungary and Spain.
The Americans will face undefeated France on September 13 in Berlin in a rematch of the dramatic 2024 Olympic gold-medal game. The overall record makes the run appear routine. It has not been.
The United States opened the tournament with a convincing 94–61 victory over China, barely escaped Italy 55–52 and then responded by beating Czechia 105–64. Team USA overwhelmed Hungary 108–56 in the quarterfinals before surviving its most difficult knockout test against Spain.
Spain led 9–1 early and remained tied with the United States after three quarters. Caitlin Clark helped the second unit change the pace, while Breanna Stewart scored 16 points and controlled the decisive stretch of a 76–66 American victory.
France presents an even more dangerous challenge.
The French are also 5–0 after dismantling host Germany 86–64 in the semifinal. Gabby Williams finished that game with 22 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals, while Marine Johannès continued one of the best perimeter-shooting tournaments in recent World Cup history.
This is France’s first Women’s World Cup final, but the matchup is not unfamiliar. The United States defeated France 67–66 in the 2024 Olympic final after Williams’ potential game-tying shot was ruled a two-pointer because her foot was inside the three-point line.
Before the two countries meet again, here is how every player on Team USA has contributed to the run through Berlin.
Breanna Stewart Has Been Team USA’s Stabilizer
Breanna Stewart remains the most important player on the roster because she gives the United States an answer when talent and depth are not enough.
Stewart is averaging 11 points and a team-leading 6.8 rebounds through five games. Her 16.6 efficiency rating also leads the Americans, according to the official FIBA tournament statistics.
Her scoring has fluctuated, but her impact has not. Stewart struggled from the field against Italy and still collected 11 rebounds. She then responded with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists against Czechia.
Spain received the full version of Stewart in the semifinal. She scored a team-high 16 points, defended across multiple positions and converted four consecutive free throws as the United States finally created separation in the fourth quarter.
Against France, her ability to defend Williams, help around Dominique Malonga and punish mismatches may determine whether the United States wins its fifth consecutive world championship.
Jackie Young Has Been the Leading Scorer
Jackie Young enters the final as Team USA’s leading scorer at 11.2 points per game.
That number may not look overwhelming, but it reflects how evenly the United States distributes its offense. No American is averaging more than 22 minutes, and Young has produced her team-leading scoring without dominating the ball.
Her physicality has translated well to the international game. Young can initiate the offense, attack smaller guards, defend multiple perimeter positions and operate without requiring every possession to run through her.
She is also contributing 2.8 assists per game, tied with Paige Bueckers for second on the team. Against a France backcourt built around Williams and Johannès, Young’s defensive strength will be as important as her scoring.
Caitlin Clark Has Controlled the Offense
Caitlin Clark’s first senior World Cup has not been built around chasing scoring records. Her biggest contribution has been making the entire American offense easier to organize.
Clark leads Team USA with 5.8 assists per game. Before the semifinal, that average stood at seven assists, placing her among the tournament leaders.
She has pushed the tempo, stretched defenses beyond the three-point line and created early scoring opportunities before opposing teams can establish their half-court coverage. Even when she is not making deep shots, the attention she attracts changes the spacing available to Stewart, Aliyah Boston, Angel Reese and Napheesa Collier.
Her semifinal minutes may have been the clearest example of her value. With Spain’s aggressive defense disrupting the starting group, Clark helped guide an 11–0 run that turned a 9–1 deficit into an American lead.
France will attempt to make her defend, pressure her handle and take away the hit-ahead passes that fuel Team USA’s transition game. Clark does not need to lead the team in scoring to control the championship. She needs to keep the floor open and make France guard all five players.
Paige Bueckers Has Been Exceptionally Efficient
Paige Bueckers has looked comfortable in her first senior World Cup.
She is averaging 8.8 points and 2.8 assists while shooting 55.2 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from three and 100 percent at the free-throw line. Her 11.8 efficiency rating ranks third on Team USA behind Stewart and Young.
Bueckers has also averaged 1.2 steals and a team-leading 0.8 blocks, unusual production for a guard. Those numbers reflect her awareness away from the ball and ability to anticipate actions before they fully develop.
Where Clark creates pressure with range and passing, Bueckers changes the rhythm with patience. She can attack a gap, stop in the middle of the floor or keep the ball moving without forcing a difficult shot.
That balance has allowed Kara Lawson to use either guard independently or play them together when the United States needs more creation.
Napheesa Collier Has Quietly Done Everything
Napheesa Collier is third on the team in scoring at 9.6 points per game despite playing fewer than 17 minutes per contest.
Her best offensive performance came against Hungary, when she scored 19 points and helped Team USA build a 36–12 first-quarter lead. The Americans never gave Hungary a realistic opportunity to settle into the quarterfinal.
Collier’s value extends well beyond that performance. She can switch onto guards, defend bigger forwards, rebound, run the floor and score without having plays specifically designed for her.
Much like she has demonstrated throughout her WNBA career, Collier can become the most influential player in a game without needing to dominate possession. Her versatility will be essential against a French lineup that plays with size, speed and unusual positional flexibility.
Angel Reese Has Owned the Possession Battle
Angel Reese has brought rebounding, activity and physical pressure to the American frontcourt.
She is averaging 5.4 rebounds, second only to Stewart, despite playing a limited bench role. Reese is also contributing 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks per game.
Her offensive game has not needed to become a focal point. Instead, Reese has created extra possessions, attacked the glass and brought energy when the starters leave the floor.
That role matters against France. Malonga is averaging 10 points and 6.6 rebounds while giving the French frontcourt legitimate size and athleticism. Reese’s willingness to make every rebound physical could help prevent France from creating second-chance opportunities.
The final may also test her discipline. France has skilled passers capable of punishing unnecessary help and aggressive reaches, making controlled intensity more valuable than activity alone.
Aliyah Boston Has Provided Interior Structure
Aliyah Boston’s traditional statistics do not fully represent her importance.
Boston has supplied screening, interior defense, rebounding position and a dependable target around the basket. She gives Team USA a true center who can hold her ground without forcing Stewart or Collier to handle every physical matchup.
Her presence was particularly important in the semifinal as the United States dealt with Spain’s Megan Gustafson and Awa Fam. France will present a different but equally demanding interior challenge through Malonga, Janelle Salaün and Iliana Rupert.
Boston may not receive enough touches to post a major scoring total. Her assignment is to establish position, finish efficient opportunities and protect the middle without accumulating early fouls.
Rhyne Howard Has Been the Defensive Disruptor
Rhyne Howard leads Team USA with two steals per game.
That figure captures the most noticeable part of her tournament. Howard has used her length to pressure passing lanes, disrupt ball handlers and turn defensive possessions into transition opportunities.
She also gives the United States another perimeter scorer capable of attacking a closeout or getting hot from three. On a roster filled with offensive talent, Howard has not needed to force that part of her game.
Her defensive role becomes more significant against France. Johannès is averaging 15.8 points while making 46.3 percent of her three-point attempts through five games. Giving her clean space is not an option.
Howard’s combination of length and mobility gives Lawson another defender who can chase Johannès while remaining capable of switching onto Williams.
Chelsea Gray Remains the Veteran Organizer
Chelsea Gray’s role is built around control.
She is not carrying the scoring load, but she provides the experience required to organize Team USA when games become uncomfortable. That mattered against Italy and Spain, the two opponents that successfully slowed the Americans and forced them to execute deeper into the shot clock.
Gray understands when to push, when to call a set and when to deliver the ball to Stewart in a favorable matchup. Her passing also gives Team USA an alternative when Clark is pressured or playing away from the ball.
France wants chaos. Williams creates turnovers, Johannès attacks before defenses are set and the entire team feeds on confidence. Gray’s job will be to prevent difficult stretches from turning into complete momentum swings.
Kahleah Copper Supplies Championship-Level Pressure
Kahleah Copper has not needed to recreate the volume-scoring role she has held in other international competitions.
Her value comes from speed, physical drives and the ability to create a direct path toward the basket. When Team USA becomes too comfortable passing around the perimeter, Copper can attack the defense before it resets.
She also brings experience from the 2022 World Cup championship team and the 2024 Olympic gold-medal roster.
That Olympic experience is especially relevant against France. Copper already understands the athleticism, defensive pressure and emotional intensity that will define this matchup.
A few aggressive possessions from Copper could become especially important if the United States struggles to generate half-court offense.
Kiki Iriafen Has Maximized Limited Minutes
Kiki Iriafen joined the World Cup roster after A’ja Wilson withdrew for health reasons. She was not brought to Berlin expecting to replace Wilson’s production player for player.
Instead, Iriafen has supplied frontcourt depth, rebounding and athleticism while gaining experience inside a championship environment.
She is averaging five rebounds per game, third on Team USA behind Stewart and Reese. That is meaningful production considering her limited minutes and position in the rotation.
Iriafen runs the floor, attacks loose rebounds and gives Lawson another physical option if Boston or Reese encounters foul trouble. Even if her championship-game role is short, her energy can help Team USA survive the minutes when its veteran frontcourt rests.
Sonia Citron Has Stayed Ready in a Small Role
Sonia Citron was also added shortly before the tournament after Kelsey Plum withdrew.
Citron has occupied one of the smallest roles on the team, but that does not make the experience meaningless. She has defended, moved without the ball and avoided disrupting the offense when called upon.
Her skill set fits international basketball because she can play alongside primary ball handlers without needing to control possessions. She spaces the floor, makes quick decisions and brings another long perimeter defender off the bench.
The final may shorten the rotation, but Citron still gives Lawson insurance against foul trouble or a specific defensive matchup.
For a player making her first senior World Cup appearance, learning how to contribute without predictable minutes is part of the assignment.
Why France Is Team USA’s Most Dangerous Opponent
France is not entering the final simply hoping to keep the score close.
Williams has been one of the best players in the tournament, averaging 18.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.8 steals. Johannès is producing 15.8 points per game and has already made 19 three-pointers through five appearances. Salaün adds 12 points and 6.2 rebounds, while Malonga gives France a young interior presence capable of finishing above the defense.
The French have won all five of their games and defeated Germany by 22 points in the semifinal. According to FIBA’s official tournament schedule, the championship is the first World Cup final in France’s history.
Team USA’s depth remains its greatest advantage. France can match the Americans with elite top-end talent, but few teams can respond when Lawson replaces one All-Star combination with another.
The concern is execution. Italy held the United States to 55 points, while Spain entered the fourth quarter tied before Stewart and the American defense took control. France has enough offensive creativity to punish another slow start.
The United States is attempting to win its fifth consecutive World Cup and 12th overall. France is playing for its first.
One team carries the weight of maintaining a dynasty. The other enters with history already secured and nothing to protect. That tension, combined with a roster containing many of the best players in the WNBA, gives the 2026 championship a chance to become the defining game of this new era of women’s basketball.
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