The USA Women’s National Team will make their 2026 debut at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from March 11-17.

The Americans are one of five teams to have already qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, which will be held in September in Berlin, after winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup . The five-game tournament will allow the U.S. to prepare for the World Cup , while the remaining teams compete for their spots in Berlin. The tournament will mark head coach Kara Lawson’s first competition in charge as the USA Women’s National Team coach.

Undefeated in Qualifiers

The Americans are currently undefeated in World Cup Qualifiers after going 2-0 in 2022 . The U.S. defeated Belgium 84-75 in their first qualifier game on Feb. 11, 2022. The team was led by Kelsey Plum, who had 16 points and shot 5-for-5 from the field. A day later, the Americans beat Puerto Rico 93-55. The games were hosted in a bubble in Washington D.C. as the world was still emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vs. Senegal (March 11 | 5 p.m. ET | TruTV/HBOMax):

The U.S. will take on Senegal in their first game on Wednesday, March 11, at 5 p.m. ET. This will be the eighth meeting between the teams, with the red, white and blue holding a perfect 7-0 record. In their most recent matchup during the 2024 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the Americans came away with a 101-39 win. Rhyne Howard led the team with 25 points and five rebounds.

Vs. Puerto Rico (March 12 | 8 p.m. ET | TruTV/HBOMax):

On Thursday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET, the Americans will take on the host nation Puerto Rico in their second qualifier game. The two teams met last year during the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, where the U.S. earned an 80-62 victory.

Vs. Italy (March 14 | 5 p.m. ET | TruTV/HBOMax):

Game three will see the Americans take on Italy on Saturday, March 14, at 5 p.m. ET. It will be the first contest between the teams since the 1979 World Championships. The U.S. are 1-1 against Italy, as the 1979 matchup saw the red, white and blue earn their first win over the Italians 66-64. Italy will be making their World Cup Qualifying debut.

Vs. New Zealand (March 15 | 2 p.m. ET | TruTV/HBOMax):

The U.S. return in action on Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m. ET against New Zealand. The Ferns will also be making their World Cup Qualifying debut. The Americans hold a 4-0 advantage over New Zealand. The matchup will be the first game since 2008 between the two nations where the U.S. came away with a 96-60 win during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Vs. Spain (March 17 | 5 p.m. ET | TNT/HBOMax):

The Americans will wrap up the tournament against Spain on Tuesday, March 17, at 5 p.m. ET. The U.S. are 10-0 against Spain, with the last meeting during the 2016 Rio Olympics in the gold-medal game. That win secured the U.S. their sixth straight Olympic gold medal and eighth overall at the time.

The Roster

The World Cup Qualifying Team was announced on Feb. 11 and is the first competition roster chosen by USA Women’s National Team managing director Sue Bird. The roster has a blend of veteran USA players and first-time senior members. Nine of the 12-man squad participated in the December 2025 USA Women’s National Team training camp held at Duke University.

The roster includes veteran USA players Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Dearica Hamby and Plum, all of whom participated in the previous 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. Copper, Gray and Plum were a members of the 2022 USA Women’s World Cup Team that won gold. Hamby brings a wealth of USA 3x3 National Team experience as a 2024 Olympic bronze medalist.

Several players have represented the U.S. at the junior level, including junior World Cups. Bueckers, Clark and Howard teamed up to win the 2019 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup. Clark was a member of the 2021 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup team that won gold.

Bueckers, Clark, Howard and Iriafen will make their senior national team debuts , with Howard bringing experience from the 3x3 National Team.

Billings was a member of the 2017 USA U23 Women’s National Team and Burrell will make her USA competitive debut.

The team will be coached by Lawson, who served as an assistant coach on the 2022 National Team during the 2022 World Cup, helping the Americans win gold. Most recently, Lawson coached the USA to gold during the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup.