BERLIN (Germany) - The USA solidified its dominance in women's basketball by claiming its 12th FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup title, defeating France 97-79 in the final held in Berlin. The match showcased a dramatic comeback from the USA, which overcame a 14-point deficit in the first half.
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Jackie Young delivered a standout performance in the final, contributing 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. However, Breanna Stewart's exceptional play was pivotal, as she recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Stewart made history by becoming the first player to be named a two-time FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup TISSOT MVP.
France, playing in its first World Cup final, was led by Gabby Williams, marking the team's highest finish; they previously placed third in the inaugural tournament in 1953. Stewart and Young were both named to the All-Star Five, joining Williams, Iyana Martin from Spain, and Leonie Fiebich of Germany.
In the third-place match, Iyana Martin's impressive 22-point performance guided Spain to an 81-58 victory over Germany, earning Spain its fourth medal in five World Cup appearances. For Germany, this tournament marked their highest finish in the competition's history.
The 2026 edition set a new attendance record, with 236,015 fans in Berlin, surpassing the previous record of 145,519 in 2022, despite a reduced number of games. The tournament achieved a remarkable average attendance of 6,556.
Final standings of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026:
1. USA
2. France
3. Spain
4. Germany
5. Belgium
6. Australia
7. China
8. Hungary
9. Italy
10. Korea
11. Puerto Rico
12. Japan
13. Mali
14. Türkiye
15. Czechia
16. Nigeria
FIBA.