The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup tips off Friday, Sept. 4 in Berlin, Germany, and the United States is a heavy favorite to win it all. And for good reason.
Team USA has won this competition the previous four times. The last time they lost a World Cup was in 2006, finishing third.
Beating the Americans—the only team with a full roster of WNBA stars—is a tall task, but a few teams will present a legitimate challenge.
Here are three teams that could pull off the upset. In the comments, let us know if you
agree, or if you think Team USA will cruise to another gold.
France
Team USA barely survived against France in the gold medal match back in the 2024 Olympics, winning by one point. France is just as good now—if not better.
They’ll have Gabby Williams once again leading the charge. In the WNBA, Williams is having a career year for the Golden State Valkyries. She made her second-straight WNBA All-Star team—this time as a starter—and is averaging a career-high 14.3 points per game.
In the frontcourt, France also has Dominique Malonga, who presents a ton of problems.
Malonga is averaging 17 points, nine rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in her second season with the Seattle Storm, also earning an All-Star selection. With her ability to score, defend inside the paint and her youth, Malonga is a player who could absolutely dominate a matchup against the United States and tip things in favor of France.
Australia
Australia has medaled in six of the last seven World Cups. They’ll be a factor in deciding who wins it all.
Their roster is oozing with WNBA talent. Although without Sami Whitcomb, they’ll still have Alanna Smith, Ezi Magbegor, Stephanie Talbot, Jade Melbourne and others with W experience ready to lead the Opals to the gold. They also have Sandy Brondello as their head coach. Given her WNBA pedigree, she has the capability and the player personnel to get Australia over the hump.
While Australia’s ceiling is gold, the floor could be an early exit.
Making it out of the group stage will be a challenge. Australia has Belgium in Group C, and they have a deep, experienced team as well. Still, given their experience and quality, they’ll be a dangerous team to face until they’re eliminated.
Spain
Spain is increasingly becoming stocked with players with WNBA experience.
María Conde has had a strong season with the Toronto Tempo, averaging 8.9 points per game while shooting 35.3 percent from deep. Conde leading Spain’s backcourt makes them a formidable challenge and is a big reason why they’ll likely win Group A.
Like her Storm teammate Malonga, Awa Fam is a young, dynamic frontcourt player who could be the difference maker for her country.
Fam is averaging 10.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for Seattle this season. Her production will be just as good if not better in World Cup play. While Fam represents Spain’s bright future, they also have veterans like Megan Gustafson DiLeo, playing her best-ever WNBA ball for the Portland Fire, who can lead and guarantee a very high floor for this team during this competition.
If they can balance winning now with developing their youth, Spain could go on a magical run that threatens USA’s dominance.
