WNBA fans better enjoy the next two weeks because the 2026 regular season will be on hold from August 31 until September 17.
The WNBA will be taking an extended break in the middle of the season due to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. Team USA, which is loaded with stars like Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson, will begin their tournament on Sept. 4 against China.
The U.S. women’s basketball team will also face Italy and Czechia in the group stage. There’s no doubt they’ll be the favorites to win the FIBA World Cup in Germany.
“The makeup of the roster is pretty straightforward,” former Team USA star Sue Bird said. “Just wanting to have a good mixture of people with experience, of people with youth — obviously, that sets us up for the future as well, but also a team that complements each other and can go on the court and win gold.”
© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images.
Who else is on Team USA?
While the spotlight will certainly be on Clark, she’s not going to be the only marquee name on the roster. If we had to guess, there’ll be plenty of eyes on Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese.
Team USA’s roster will also feature Aliyah Boston, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Kelsey Plum, Kahleah Cooper, Rhyne Howard, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young.
“It’s great to have a team and to have a roster,” Team USA coach Kara Lawson said in a statement. “It’s been a long process to whittle it down to 12 players, and I think that speaks to just the talent we have in our country across the board. These 12 have earned it through their play and their consistency. I couldn’t be more excited about working with each of them, and I’ve had good experience with each of them… I know what they’re capable of, and I know that this is a group that’s ready for the challenges that are ahead.”
We’ll see if this star-studded squad returns to the WNBA as World Cup champs.
