BERLIN, Germany: The USA-France World Cup final will decide the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup on Sunday, with the Americans defending a 35-game tournament winning streak.
France reached the championship unbeaten, defeating host Germany 86-64 in the semifinals. The Americans advanced after beating Spain in their semifinal.
The final is a rematch of the 2024 Olympic gold-medal game, which the United States won 67-66. France’s Gabby Williams hit a shot at the buzzer, but her foot was inside the three-point line.
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have provided one of Team USA’s prominent storylines during the tournament. The longtime rivals combined for 19 points in a 108-56 quarterfinal victory over Hungary.
Read: FIBA Women’s World Cup: Hungary, Germany Reach Quarters
“We’ve played against each other so many times, so I’m sure we know each other’s game,” Reese told TNT Sports after that win, saying the pair were continuing to build chemistry.
Head coach Kara Lawson has kept Clark, Reese and Paige Bueckers in reserve through the Americans’ first five games, while indicating that rotations could change.
France will again look to Williams, who helped lead the semifinal victory over Germany, while Marine Johannès said the French had “nothing to lose” against the defending champions.
Lawson said the team also felt the significance of representing the United States during the 25th anniversary weekend of the September 11 attacks.
