Winning is a habit. For the women's basketball team usa, it’s more like a law of physics.
Right now, the program is sitting on a 61-game Olympic winning streak. That is not a typo. Sixty-one. They haven't dropped an Olympic contest since 1992. But honestly? The vibes heading into the 2026 FIBA World Cup in Berlin feel different. There’s this weird mix of "we’re the best ever" and "wait, who is actually on the team this year?"
We’re in the middle of a massive guard-changing ceremony, and it’s kinda chaotic. Diana Taurasi has six gold medals. She’s been the heartbeat of this thing since the early 2000s. But as we look toward Berlin and eventually the L.A. 2028 Games, the legendary core—Taurasi, Brittney Griner, maybe even Breanna Stewart—is moving toward the "veteran mentor" phase, or just moving on entirely.
The Kara Lawson Era and the New Blood
In late 2025, USA Basketball made it official: Kara Lawson is the boss. She’s the head coach for this 2025-2028 cycle. If you followed her at Duke or watched her coach the 3x3 team to gold in Tokyo, you know she doesn't do "relaxed." She’s intense.
She’s taking over a program managed by Sue Bird—yeah, that Sue Bird—who is now the Managing Director. It’s like the Avengers decided to stop fighting and just run the front office.
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But look at the training camp roster from December 2025 at Duke. It’s wild. You’ve got the household names like Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum, but the "new" names are the ones driving the ticket sales.
- Caitlin Clark: The elephant in the room. After the 2024 Olympic roster drama, she’s back in the mix and, by all accounts, dominant.
- JuJu Watkins: She’s only 20. She plays like she’s 30.
- Paige Bueckers: Finally healthy and looking like the point god everyone expected.
- Angel Reese: Bringing that specific brand of "you won't out-rebound me" energy that the international game sometimes lacks.
Why 2026 is Actually a Huge Risk
Most people think women's basketball team usa just shows up and gets handed a gold. That nearly stopped being true in Paris 2024. Remember that final against France? A 67-66 win. One point. If Gabby Williams’ foot was two inches further back on that final shot, the streak would be dead.
The rest of the world caught up. France is terrifying. Belgium has Emma Meesseman, who basically doesn't miss. Australia is always a physical nightmare.
The 2026 World Cup (September 4-13) is going to be a massive test for Lawson. Why? Because the WNBA is currently in a state of flux. The CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) negotiations have been, well, messy. There’s talk of potential strikes or schedule shifts. If the WNBA season runs late into September, does A'ja Wilson—the best player on the planet—skip the World Cup to win a title with the Aces?
Honestly, the "B-Team" for the USA could still win gold, but the margin for error has evaporated.
The Caitlin Clark Factor
Let's be real for a second. The way the national team handled Clark in 2024 was a PR nightmare. This time around, the pressure is on Sue Bird and Kara Lawson to integrate her without breaking the "culture" everyone talks about. Clark’s style is high-octane, transition-heavy, and deep-range. The traditional USA style is more "grind you down with depth and post play."
During the December training camp, Lawson reportedly let Clark run the point more freely. It’s a shift. It’s a necessary one. If the USA wants to keep beating teams by 20, they have to embrace the modern, faster game that these college stars are bringing with them.
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Misconceptions About the Dominance
People say the USA wins because they have the best athletes. That’s only half of it. They win because their "bench" players are the captains of their own WNBA teams.
When you have Kahleah Copper coming off the bench to score 10 quick points in a gold medal game, you aren't just playing a team; you're playing a relentless wave of talent. But the gap is closing. International players are no longer intimidated. They play in the WNBA now. They know Kelsey Plum’s tendencies. They aren't scared of the jersey anymore.
Who to Watch in Berlin
If you're looking at the 2026 roster, keep an eye on Kiki Iriafen and Rickea Jackson. These aren't just "prospects" anymore. They are the physical anchors. While everyone watches Clark and Bueckers at the perimeter, the USA’s ability to control the glass through Aliyah Boston and Cameron Brink is what actually wins tournaments.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to actually follow the women's basketball team usa without just waiting for the box score, here is what you need to do:
- Watch the FIBA Qualifying Windows: These happen during the WNBA off-season. It’s where you see the chemistry (or lack thereof) between the college stars and the veterans.
- Track the CBA Negotiations: This sounds boring, but if the WNBA players opt out or go on strike, the 2026 World Cup roster will be 100% college players. That would be the first time since the 90s we'd see a truly "amateur" squad on a major stage.
- Ignore the Point Spreads: In the 2000s, the USA covered every spread. Now? Bet on the under. The international game is slower, more physical, and much more tactical.
- Follow the 3x3 Team: Players like Dearica Hamby and Rhyne Howard often use the 3x3 circuit to "audition" for the 5x5 roster. It’s a great way to see who has the best 1-on-1 defensive chops.
The road to Berlin isn't a victory lap. It's a reconstruction project. The talent is there, but for the first time in thirty years, the "USA" name on the front of the jersey doesn't guarantee a twenty-point lead at halftime. And honestly? That makes the 2026 cycle the most interesting one we've seen in decades.