USA Overcomes France in Berlin to Secure Record 12th FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Title

Team USA posed with their trophy after defeating France in the final of the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany. The United States claimed the Women’s Basketball World Cup for a record-extending 12th time, overcoming a spirited France side with a 97-79 victory in the Berlin final.

As perennial red-hot favourites who had not lost a World Cup match since 2006, the Americans played below their best for much of the tournament before ultimately walking away with the trophy on Sunday. USA trailed by two points at half-time against an energetic France team, but turned the game around when it mattered most, outscoring their European opponents 30-12 in the third quarter.

American veteran Breanna Stewart once again led from the front, scoring a game-high 22 points, while Jackie Young hit four crucial three-pointers and finished with 18 points to extend USA’s tournament win streak to 36 games. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark scored just one point in the semifinal, but chipped in with crucial buckets down the stretch to finish with 12 points, including two three-pointers.

Playing in their first-ever World Cup final, France sought revenge for their narrow one-point loss in the gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but ultimately lost their composure as the Americans accelerated in the second half. France’s Gabby Williams, who earned player of the match honors in their semifinal win over Germany, scored an impressive 16 points in the opening half before adding just four more after the break.

USA entered Sunday’s game looking unusually vulnerable after coming close to defeats against unheralded Italy and Spain during the earlier rounds. No team had come within 20 points of France as they cruised into a maiden World Cup final, starting strongly with a first-quarter lead and surging to a 14-point advantage midway through the second.

Forced to elevate their game, USA fought back as Young hit two quick-fire threes and Clark grabbed another seconds before half-time to trim France’s lead to just two points. The defending champions displayed greater composure in the second half, with Clark finding her range and the team keeping the French at bay to secure the victory.

Earlier on Sunday, Spain recovered from their narrow semifinal loss to USA by claiming the bronze medal with an 81-58 victory over Germany.