Team USA Opens World Cup With Win Over China

Team USA opened the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin with a 94-61 victory over China, extending its World Cup winning streak to 31 games and beginning its pursuit of a fifth consecutive title. Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Rhyne Howard each scored 14 points, with Clark adding 11 assists, while Jackie Young scored 12. The Americans, coached by Kara Lawson in her World Cup debut, held China to 32% shooting and forced 16 turnovers. Team USA’s young roster includes nine World Cup debutants and is competing without injured stars A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum; China was also without center Li Yueru. Team USA next faces Italy on Sunday and Czechia to close group play, while host Germany enters with medal hopes despite injuries, including Satou Sabally’s absence, and three warmup losses. The tournament runs through Sept. 13, with group winners advancing directly to the quarterfinals and second- and third-place teams entering a qualification round.