Sue Bird selects Team USA roster for 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany; seeks gold and ties World Cup streak
Basketball: Sue Bird concocts the perfect mix for Team USA to “win gold” at 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup
Basketball: Sue Bird concocts the perfect mix for Team USA to “win gold” at 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup
The USA women’s basketball managing director, a five-time Olympic medalist, hand-picked the USA’s stacked roster.
It’s gold or bust for the U.S. women’s national basketball team.
That’s how managing director Sue Bird explained her thought process and decision making after the USWNBT unveiled its official roster for September’s 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup .
The 12 players going to Germany, from 4-13 September, represent the best of the United States presently and also set the team up for success in the future, Bird said on Thursday in the post-announcement news conference.
“The makeup of this roster is pretty straightforward,” Bird, a five-time Olympic and four-time World Cup gold medalist, said. " I wanted to have a mixture of people with experience, a good mixture of people with youth .
“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. That is always the north star in all of these decisions that I’ve made.”
The final roster looks bit different from the team that was fielded after tryouts and for the qualifiers.
Tryouts aren’t a requirement for being on the official squad, Bird explained, and ultimately, it’s about taking the best players available into the tournament.
The U.S. seeks its 12th World Championship, and its journey begins against the fifth-ranked People’s Republic of China on Friday, 4 September.
Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and A’ja Wilson headline Team USA’s 12-player roster for 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup
Sabrina Ionescu, rookie Olivia Miles misses the cut
Given the abundance of riches, in terms of talent available to the USA, there were bound to be notable players left out of the mix.
Both players that have previously played for the senior team and rookies aspiring for promotion were excluded.
Notably New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu , who won gold at the 2022 World Cup and at Paris 2024 . Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas and Connecticut Sun center Brittney Griner , who were also on the 2024 roster, joined Ionescu in that regard.
A major difference between those three, however, is Thomas and Griner are 34 and 35, respectively, while Ionescu is 28. That’s why her miss, along with Minnesota Lynx rookie guard Olivia Miles, came as surprises.
Although the rookie has taken the league by storm and starred in her debut WNBA All-Star Game, Bird explained that she anticipates her being “in the mix” going ahead.
Each player who didn’t receive the final invite heard from Bird personally, and she approached every call understanding how that moment feels and being honest about her decision.
“ Every player deserves the right to hear it, whether it’s a yes or a no from me ,” Bird said. “It’s not a reflection of who they are as players. There’s so many players that have earned the right to be on this team.
“And for Sabrina, a player that has already been on this team, she understands what it is to wear the jersey… It’s about making choices for those that I think are going to be part of the (roster) to win a gold medal and complement each other.
“Olivia is a tremendous player. So much fun to watch. It’s been amazing watching her grow in this league. She’s such a great young player. As far as Olivia goes, she’s played with USA basketball before. She will undoubtedly be in the mix for teams in the future."
This World Cup represents a record-tying opportunity for both the nation and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart .
Not only are the United States the reigning champions - four times over - but with a gold-medal finish this year, they will tie the former Soviet Union for the longest winning streak (five) in World Cup history.
Simultaneously, Stewart, 31, would tie Bird for the most gold medals (four) for an individual.
Stewart, a three-time WNBA champion, Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion, comes in averaging 21.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
“This is an incredibly talented group that has earned the opportunity to compete in Berlin,” Bird said. “ Wearing a USA jersey is a privilege, and I know these 12 players will embrace that responsibility as we go after another gold medal. I can’t wait to see what this team accomplishes together .”
Of the 12 players going to Berlin, Aaliyah Boston , Paige Bueckers , Caitlin Clark , Napheesa Collier , Rhyne Howard , and Angel Reese and Jackie Young are making their debut for the senior team on the international stage – the Olympics or World Cup.
A’ja Wilson , a two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup winner, is set to lead the team with her WNBA-leading 26.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game (third).
“ We can all agree the hardest part, which is a problem I would never trade, is that we have so much talent ,” said Bird.
“The beauty of that is it means almost all players are wanting to be on this team, willing to be on this team. It is a sacrifice. It is a time commitment.”
Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces)
Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty)
A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)
Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces)
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