Previewing the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup

The GIST: Move over, Pitbull — women’s basketball has gone global. The FIBA Women’s World Cup, featuring 70 current or former WNBA players, tipped off this morning (and you can watch all 36 games on TSN Premium). Let’s hoop to it.

• But first, the elephant in the room: Despite boasting a top-ten international ranking, Canada failed to qualify for this year’s tourney. Hopefully they’re saving their best stuff for LA 2028.

⚙️ How it works: Featuring 16 teams split into four groups, step one of the quadrennial tourney is pool play, where each squad faces the other three countries in their group once. The winners of each group automatically punch quarter-final tickets, while the second- and third-place teams battle in the first of four knockout rounds. Making it to the September 13th championship game isn’t for the faint of heart.

🏆 Team USA chasing fifth straight title: The diamond-encrusted chalice has been in American possession since 2010, and this stacked roster is favored to take it home again — even without sidelined injured superstars A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum. Just how talented are they? Well, every single member of this squad has at least two WNBA All-Star nods on their résumé.

🏃‍♀️ France headlines the rest of the field: The American dynasty’s been dominant, but the French are closing the gap. Look no further than the nail-biting 2024 Olympic gold medal game. Les Bleues boast the second-most WNBA players (eight), including Golden State Valkyries standout Gabby Williams and dunking phenom Dominique Malonga. A rematch for the World Cup title? Oui, SVP.