United States to Compete in Puerto Rico in Qualifier for FIBA Women’s World Cup
The United States national team prepares to compete in Puerto Rico in March, within the framework of the qualifying tournament for the FIBA Women’s World Cup. The Americans, already qualified for the World Cup to be held next year in Germany, are in a group that includes Italy, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Senegal, and Spain. The competition calendar for the United States will begin on March 11, facing Senegal, followed by Puerto Rico the next day. On March 14, they will face Italy, and the next day New Zealand. The closing of their participation will be on March 17 against Spain. It is anticipated that one or two training camps will be held for the American players before the qualifying tournament. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is likely to be part of this process.Clark has been out of the courts since mid-July due to groin and ankle injuries. Despite the high probability of Clark participating, it is very likely that the Americans will not have their coach, Kara Lawson. The Duke women’s team coach was recently named coach of the U.S. Olympic team for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. The World Cup qualifying tournament will take place just before the start of the NCAA Tournament. The Miami-based 3-on-3 league, Unrivaled, is expected to conclude its season before the start of the qualifying tournament. FIBA will also organize qualifying tournaments in Istanbul, Lyon-Villeurbanne, France; and Wuhan, China. Belgium, Australia, and Nigeria are already qualified for the World Cup, as is Germany, the host country. The three best-performing teams, excluding those already qualified in Istanbul, China, and Puerto Rico, will advance to the World Cup. In France, the two best teams, excluding Germany and Nigeria, will also advance.There are some USA Basketball matters that are probably my main priority right now and for which I need to prepare, and I think that will also help me prepare for next season. But, obviously, then you have to prepare for USA Basketball in some way, so there are many different things you have to figure out and balance.
Caitlin Clark
