Angel Reese helps USA claim fifth straight title
The United States women’s national basketball team defeated France 97-79 in Berlin on September 13, 2026, securing a fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup title after overcoming a 14-point deficit.
Angel Reese was part of the championship roster that recovered after France built a 31-17 lead. The Americans reduced the gap to 45-43 by halftime, then took control decisively afterward.
France builds early 14-point lead
France created the game’s biggest early swing with a 21-2 run, turning a close contest into a 14-point advantage during the second quarter before Team USA answered strongly before halftime.
Caitlin Clark hit a key three-pointer late in the second quarter as the Americans reduced France’s lead to two points, entering halftime trailing 45-43 after recovering from that early surge.
Team USA controls second half
Team USA took control after halftime as Kahleah Copper and Jackie Young hit consecutive 3-pointers. The Americans created separation during a 30-12 third quarter after entering the break 2 points behind.
The USA continued extending its advantage in the fourth quarter and led by 19 points shortly after the period began. France could not recover, and the Americans completed a 97-79 victory.
Breanna Stewart leads the final
Breanna Stewart led the championship performance with a game-high 22 points. The veteran captain delivered Team USA’s highest scoring total as the Americans completed their comeback and secured the championship.
Jackie Young scored 18 points in the final, providing another contribution behind Stewart. Her production helped Team USA maintain control after France threatened to regain momentum during the second half.
Angel Reese brings efficient scoring
Angel Reese shot 63.2% from the field through her first 4 World Cup games. She recorded 35 points, 24 rebounds, 6 steals, 4 blocks, and 3 assists across those appearances.
The USA roster also included first-time World Cup participants Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers. Breanna Stewart, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, Jackie Young, and Napheesa Collier supplied veteran international experience. A’ja Wilson was not on the 2026 World Cup roster.
Team USA survives Spain semifinal
Team USA reached the final by defeating Spain 76-66 in the semifinals. The game was tied entering the fourth quarter before the Americans held Spain to 8 points and pulled away.
France earned its first Women’s World Cup final appearance by beating host Germany 86-64. Gabby Williams finished that semifinal with 22 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals overall.
USA extends its championship streak
Winning in Berlin gave the United States five consecutive Women’s World Cup championships. The team entered the final seeking its 12th title and completed that goal with an 18-point victory.
The championship extended the United States’ unbeaten run across Olympic and World Cup competition to 20 years. The streak dates to the 2006 World Cup semifinal, the team’s previous defeat.
Angel Reese impacts Hungary quarterfinal
Angel Reese contributed 9 points and 6 rebounds during the USA’s 108-56 quarterfinal victory over Hungary. She made 4 of 5 field-goal attempts while playing 18 minutes in the convincing win.
Reese also recorded 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block against Hungary. She finished with a +23 plus-minus rating, giving her a strong all-around statistical line before the semifinal round.
Team USA combines WNBA rivals
Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and other WNBA players joined the same USA roster after competing for different professional teams. The national-team setting temporarily placed regular league opponents together.
The 2026 roster included players from clubs across the WNBA, including Atlanta, Indiana, Dallas, Minnesota, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and New York, creating a lineup drawn from several different professional teams.
France reaches first World Cup final
France reached the Women’s World Cup final for the first time after defeating Germany 86-64. The result guaranteed France a medal for the first time since the inaugural 1953 tournament.
Gabby Williams led the semifinal performance with 22 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Janelle Salaün added 14 points and 11 rebounds as France secured its championship-game place.
Fun fact: Angel Reese’s first signature sneaker sold out online in all 24 sizes and three launch colorways within hours of its 2025 release.
Caitlin Clark helps close halftime gap
Caitlin Clark scored 12 points in the World Cup final, including a key 3-pointer late in the second quarter that helped the USA reduce France’s lead to 45-43 by halftime.
Clark played 17 minutes and made 4 of 8 field-goal attempts, including 3 of 7 from beyond the arc. Her scoring helped the Americans recover from an early 14-point deficit before their decisive third-quarter run.
France gets strong individual scoring
Dominique Malonga scored 21 points for France in the final, while Gabby Williams added 20. Their production helped France build an early advantage, but the United States’ second-half surge decided the championship.
The 2026 USA roster blended established champions with younger World Cup players. Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, and Paige Bueckers gained senior tournament experience, while Breanna Stewart, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, and Napheesa Collier provided veteran leadership.
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Angel Reese finishes as champion
The United States completed the tournament with a fifth consecutive world championship after defeating Spain in the semifinal and France in the final. Reese finished on the title-winning USA roster.
The championship game repeated the matchup from the 2024 Olympic final in Paris, where the USA defeated France 67-66. Two years later, the teams met again for the World Cup title.
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Team USA erased a 14-point deficit before winning another world title, with Angel Reese part of a roster blending young stars and proven champions. Which player impressed you most during the run? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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