![\"WNBA](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/wnba-trophy.png\")
<\/p>\nLooking at the WNBA schedule and wondering why there\u2019s a two-week gap in games?<\/p>\n
That\u2019s because the league is taking a hiatus from Monday to Sept. 16 for the women\u2019s basketball FIBA World Cup where a number of its best players will compete for their respective national teams. Players began arriving in Berlin this week, with the tournament\u2019s group stages set to tip off on Sept. 4.<\/p>\n
This break is standard procedure during any World Cup year, but as the pool of international talent in the WNBA has expanded, even more stars will be on the global stage this season.<\/p>\n
The U.S. women\u2019s national team will compete for its fifth consecutive World Cup gold medal with a roster composed of some of the WNBA\u2019s biggest stars. Las Vegas Aces forward A\u2019ja Wilson and Phoenix Mercury guard Kelsey Plum were late scratches from Team USA\u2019s roster due to injuries. But a new era of players, including Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever), Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings) and Angel Reese (Atlanta Dream), will make their debuts with other young stars like Aliyah Boston (Fever) and Rhyne Howard (Dream). Washington Mystics teammates Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron will make their debuts as well, replacing Wilson and Plum. Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx) and Jackie Young (Aces) will also star alongside Chelsea Gray (Aces), Kahleah Copper (Mercury) and Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty).<\/p>\n
The U.S., which will be led by Duke coach Kara Lawson, will tip off the group stage against China, which it has an all-time 8-0 record against. Team USA will continue the group stages with a Sept. 6 game against Italy, which it is 1-1 against in World Cup play, and on Sept. 7 against Czechia, which it has a 2-0 edge against, before the quarterfinals begin on Sept. 8.<\/p>\n
France is the other national team with a heavy concentration of WNBA stars, led by Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams. France has eight WNBA players on its roster, including New York Liberty guards Pauline Astier and Marine Johannes, Mercury forward Valeriane Ayayi, Portland Fire guard Carla Leite, Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga, Connecticut Sun guard Leila Lacan and Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun.<\/p>\n
Other WNBA stars competing in the World Cup include Storm forward Awa Fam (Spain), Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich and Toronto Tempo forward Nyara Sabally (Germany,) Wings center Li Yueru and Liberty center Han Xu (China), Tempo guard Julie Allemand (Belgium), Storm forward Ezi Magbegor, Wings forward Alanna Smith and Aces forward Steph Talbot (Australia.)<\/p>\n
Tempo coach Sandy Brondello will lead Australia\u2019s national team, and former Washington Mystics coach Mike Thibault will coach Belgium.<\/p>\n
The bronze medal and gold medal games will be played Sept. 13. The U.S. beat China 83-61 in the 2022 gold medal game, while Australia beat Canada 95-65 in the bronze medal game.<\/p>\n
Every WNBA team will have four remaining games in the regular season when play resumes Sept. 17.<\/p>\n
Semifinals<\/p>\n
Winner of 1 vs. 8<\/p>\n
vs.<\/p>\n
Winner of 4 vs. 5<\/p>\n
Winner of 3 vs. 6<\/p>\n
vs.<\/p>\n
Winner of 2 vs. 7<\/p>\n
Final<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Winner of Semifinal 1<\/p>\n
vs.<\/p>\n
Winner of Semifinal 2<\/p>\n
First round<\/p>\n
Semifinal<\/p>\n
Winner of 1 vs. 8<\/p>\n
vs.<\/p>\n
Winner of 4 vs. 5<\/p>\n
Semifinal<\/p>\n
Winner of 2 vs. 7<\/p>\n
vs.<\/p>\n
Winner of 3 vs. 6<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Final<\/p>\n
Winner of Semifinal 1<\/p>\n
vs.<\/p>\n
Winner of Semifinal 2<\/p>\n
First round<\/p>\n