Angel Reese addresses Wilson’s absence
Angel Reese, 24, entered the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin as part of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team. A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum became unavailable before tournament play began in Germany.
Reese said their absence did not change her confidence in the available roster. She emphasized focusing on teammates in Berlin, preparing together, and making sure the group was ready for the competition ahead.
Angel Reese dismisses added pressure
Angel Reese rejected the idea that A’ja Wilson’s absence created added pressure for her. She said the American roster remained talented enough to compete without making one unavailable player the center of its approach.
Her response placed responsibility on the entire team rather than on a single replacement or younger contributor. Reese entered the tournament expecting the USA to pursue another championship while adjusting to the personnel available in Berlin.
USA replaces Wilson and Plum
Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen joined the USA roster after health issues ruled A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum out. The revised group included nine players making their first Women’s World Cup appearances.
Citron previously won the 2021 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup alongside Caitlin Clark. Iriafen played during qualifying in March, while the final Berlin roster still carried extensive Olympic and senior international experience.
Angel Reese brings qualifying experience
Angel Reese reached Berlin with senior international experience from the 2023 Women’s AmeriCup and March 2026 World Cup qualifying. In San Juan, she averaged 6.8 points and a team-leading 8.0 rebounds across five games.
The USA finished the qualifying tournament 5-0 after beating Senegal, Puerto Rico, Italy, New Zealand, and Spain. Reese collected 40 rebounds across those games, including 13 against host Puerto Rico during the unbeaten run.
Angel Reese grabs nine rebounds in opener
Angel Reese opened her first Women’s World Cup with five points, nine rebounds, and one block against China on September 4. The USA won 94-61 at Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin to begin Group D.
Five of Reese’s nine rebounds came on the offensive glass, and she played 17 minutes. The USA held a plus-16 scoring margin during its court time and led China for 38 minutes, four seconds.
Angel Reese scores eight against Italy
Angel Reese scored eight points with three rebounds, one steal, and two blocks in 15 minutes as the USA edged Italy 55-52 on September 6. She also converted all four free throw attempts.
The 3-point margin made this USA’s closest Women’s World Cup game during its winning streak that began in 2006. The Americans made 29% of field goal attempts and 8.3% from 3-point range in Berlin.
Angel Reese scores 13 against Czechia
Angel Reese recorded 13 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals against Czechia on Sept. 7. The USA won 105-64 at Berlin Arena, completing a 3-0 record in Group D and advancing directly to the quarterfinals.
Breanna Stewart led the Americans with 19 points, while all 12 USA players scored. The Americans shot 53% from the field in the 41-point victory.
Breanna Stewart guides younger USA core
Breanna Stewart provided veteran leadership on a USA roster featuring many World Cup newcomers. Reese praised her before tournament play, saying the three-time Olympic champion had paved the way for younger national team players.
Stewart also entered Berlin as a three-time Women’s World Cup champion. Reese said the veteran invests in teammates, giving younger players an experienced voice while they learn within a roster pursuing another title.
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers adjust
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers joined Angel Reese among USA players making their Women’s World Cup debuts in Berlin. Against China, Clark recorded 14 points and 11 assists during the 94-61 opening victory.
After the 55-52 win over Italy, Bueckers described each game as a learning opportunity and said the USA had been together for only five days. That second victory secured a quarterfinal berth.
USA extends World Cup winning streak
USA won all three Group D games against China, Italy, and Czechia. Those results extended the country’s Women’s World Cup winning streak to 33 games, a run that began with the 2006 third-place contest.
The Americans entered Berlin seeking a fifth consecutive title after championships in 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. The 2026 tournament marks the USA’s 19th participation, with 11 previous crowns across completed appearances.
Fun fact: Angel Reese arrived in Berlin after getting something most players never do: her own Barbie doll, extending her profile far beyond basketball.
USA earns direct quarterfinal place
USA advanced directly to the quarterfinals by finishing first in Group D. The Americans avoided the qualification round used by second-place and third-place teams and were placed into the September 10 bracket.
Hungary and Japan are scheduled to meet on September 8 to determine who faces the USA next. The winner will face the Americans in a quarterfinal scheduled for September 10 at the Berlin Arena.
Angel Reese enters break with WNBA records
Angel Reese entered the World Cup break averaging 16.1 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists for the Atlanta Dream in 2026. She is also a three-time WNBA All-Star.
Reese collected a WNBA record 26 rebounds against Los Angeles and raised her season total to 452, passing the previous record of 451 set by A’ja Wilson. Atlanta won 78-71 as the Dream completed the first 4-0 road trip in franchise history.
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USA faces expanded World Cup field
The 2026 Women’s World Cup features 16 national teams, expanding the field from 12 used in 2022. Berlin hosts the tournament through September 13, with semifinals scheduled September 12 before the championship game.
The tournament winner earns direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The USA also holds a host-nation pathway that remains subject to FIBA Central Board approval under the current women’s qualification system.
Caitlin Clark’s growing impact now extends into sports card history. Curious what new WNBA milestone placed her in another exclusive category? Dive into how Clark added another record to her rapidly expanding résumé.
Do you think Team USA’s young core can keep its title run going without A’ja Wilson, or will veteran leadership matter most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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