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The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup tipped off Friday in Berlin, bringing together 16 national teams for the first time since 2018 and setting up an incentive that stretches all the way to the LA28 Olympics.
FIBA field expands to 16 teams for the first time since 2018
FIBA restored the 16 team format for this tournament, and organizers built in a fresh reward for it. The champion earns a direct berth into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, joining the United States, which already holds an automatic host nation spot. That reward carries one exception. If Team USA wins the World Cup for a fifth consecutive time, no additional Olympic spot comes out of this event.
The bracket also changed. Group winners advance straight to the quarterfinals, while second and third place teams enter a crossover qualification round to fill the remaining quarterfinal slots.
Team USA opens as tournament favorite
Team USA enters Berlin as the heavy favorite under coach Kara Lawson. The roster leans on WNBA stars such as Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Breanna Stewart, and the group is chasing a fifth straight World Cup title. The Americans open group play against China, then face Italy and the Czech Republic to close out the group stage.
Groups set the stage in Berlin
Sixteen teams split into four groups of four. Group A pairs Japan, Spain, Germany and Mali. Group B brings together Hungary, South Korea, Nigeria and France. Group C features Belgium, Australia, Puerto Rico and Turkiye. Group D includes the United States, Czech Republic, Italy and China. Each team is guaranteed at least three group stage games, all played between September 4 and September 7.
How to watch every game
All 36 games stream on HBO Max, and TNT and truTV combine to air 17 games in the United States, including every Team USA match. Friday’s group stage slate includes
- Australia vs Puerto Rico, 5:30 a.m. ET
- Japan vs Mali, 5:30 a.m. ET
- South Korea vs Nigeria, 8:15 a.m. ET
- United States vs China, 8:15 a.m. ET
- Belgium vs Turkiye, 11:30 a.m. ET
- Spain vs Germany, 11:45 a.m. ET
- Czechia vs Italy, 2:15 p.m. ET
- Hungary vs France, 3 p.m. ET
Group play continues through Monday, September 7. The crossover qualification round follows on September 8 and September 9, setting the quarterfinal field for September 10. Semifinals are set for September 12, with the third place game and the championship both scheduled for September 13.
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