USA Basketball Announces 2026 World Cup Qualifier Roster

USA Basketball announced its roster Tuesday for the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament, highlighting the return of Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and the senior team debut of former UConn star Paige Bueckers among a group of prominent players.

The tournament, set for March 11 to 17 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, features Team USA in a six-team round-robin against Senegal, Puerto Rico, Italy, New Zealand and Spain. The top three finishers will qualify for the main World Cup in Berlin, Germany, from September 4 to 13. However, Team USA has already secured its berth by winning the 2025 FIBA Women's AmeriCup, allowing the squad to focus on development and integration of younger talent without intense pressure on results.

Clark, who missed the final 22 games of the Indiana Fever's 2025 WNBA season due to a right groin strain, will use the event to regain competitive rhythm ahead of the league's expected May 2026 start. The rookie sensation from last year, limited to 13 games amid multiple lower-body injuries including quad strains, has not seen live action since mid-July. Joining her from the Fever are forward Aliyah Boston and head coach Stephanie White, who...