United States Debuts in FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Puerto Rico

United States Faces Puerto Rico in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

The United States women’s basketball team is preparing to compete in Puerto Rico in March, as part of the qualifiers for the FIBA World Cup.

The Americans, already qualified for the World Cup to be held next year in Germany, will share a group with Italy, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Senegal and Spain.

The match schedule for the United States is as follows:

• March 11: vs. Senegal
• March 12: vs. Puerto Rico
• March 14: vs. Italy
• March 15: vs. New Zealand
• March 17: vs. Spain

It is anticipated that the team will hold one or two training camps before the qualifying tournament, which will likely feature the participation of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.

There are some USA Basketball matters that are probably my main priority at the moment and for which I need to prepare, and I think that will also help me prepare for next season.

Caitlin Clark

Clark has been out of the courts since mid-July due to groin and ankle injuries. Although it is very likely that Clark will participate, the American team might not have their coach, Kara Lawson. The Duke women’s team coach was recently named coach of the United States Olympic team for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. The World Cup qualifier will be held 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. In addition to Puerto Rico, FIBA will also organize qualifying tournaments in Istanbul, Lyon-Villeurbanne (France) and Wuhan (China). Belgium, Australia and Nigeria have already qualified for the World Cup, as has Germany, the host country. The three best-ranked teams in Istanbul, China and Puerto Rico, excluding those already qualified, will advance to the World Cup. In France, the two best teams, excluding Germany and Nigeria, will get a spot for the World Cup.