US Women Basketball Dominates China in World Cup Opener

The United States women's basketball team opened its defense of the FIBA World Cup title with a dominant 94-61 victory over China on Friday, September 4, 2026, in Berlin, Germany. The win, which extended the Americans' World Cup winning streak to 31 consecutive games, was highlighted by a record-setting debut from guard Caitlin Clark and a commanding performance against China's towering frontcourt. The U.S. squad, entering the tournament as the four-time defending champion, never trailed in the Group D matchup. The team built an early lead, leading 27-14 after the first quarter and 49-29 at halftime, before pulling away in the second half. Clark, making her senior World Cup debut, led the team with 14 points and a game-high 11 assists, earning TCL Player of the Game honors. Her assist total marked the highest by a U.S. player in a Women's World Cup game since Dawn Staley had 12 in 1998. Clark, who came off the bench, also contributed three rebounds and shot 3-of-7 from three-point range. "This was a different type of basketball game than I've probably ever played in my entire life," Clark said after the game. "I've never played against a woman of that size.