U.S. Women Face France in 2026 World Cup Final as 35-Game Streak Meets 9/11 Weight
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 13
U.S. Women Face France in 2026 World Cup Final as 35-Game Streak Meets 9/11 Weight
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 13
Summary
Berlin hosts a U.S.-France championship on Sunday, with Team USA defending a 35-game FIBA World Cup winning streak and coach Kara Lawson framing the game as a chance to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
France arrives undefeated after crushing Germany 86-64 in the semifinals and overtaking the Americans in FIBA's power rankings, setting up a rematch of the 2024 Olympic final the U.S. escaped 67-66.
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have become a focal point of the U.S. run, combining for 19 points in a 108-56 quarterfinal rout of Hungary as their on-court chemistry fuels calls for lineup changes.
Lawson has kept Clark, Reese and Paige Bueckers in reserve behind veterans through all five games, though she has left open possible rotation tweaks for the final.
The title game lands amid a polarized year in women's basketball, but the World Cup has drawn strong U.S. audiences—1.3 million for USA-Italy at its peak—and briefly united rival fan bases behind Team USA.