WNBA Pauses 17 Days for FIBA World Cup as U.S. Chases 5th Straight Gold
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 2
WNBA Pauses 17 Days for FIBA World Cup as U.S. Chases 5th Straight Gold
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 2
Summary
Sept. 16 marks the end of a WNBA hiatus that began Monday, clearing a two-week window for the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin starting Sept. 4.
The break came because the 2026 World Cup landed during an expanded WNBA season, unlike past editions that typically followed the league’s regular season.
Team USA heads to Germany seeking a fifth consecutive title, though injuries forced A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum off the roster and opened spots for Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron.
Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese are among the young U.S. stars making World Cup debuts, while France brings eight WNBA players and other league talent is spread across China, Germany, Australia and Belgium.
Sept. 17 restarts the WNBA regular season with four games left for every team; all eight playoff spots are set, but seeding remains unsettled.