US WBB: Schedule and Caitlin Clark in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

United States to Compete in Puerto Rico in FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers

The United States team is preparing to compete in Puerto Rico in March, as part of the qualifiers for the FIBA Women’s World Cup. The Americans, already qualified for the World Cup to be held next year in Germany, are part of a group that includes Italy, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Senegal and Spain. The start of the competition for the United States is scheduled for March 11 against Senegal, followed by a match against Puerto Rico the next day. Subsequently, they will face Italy on March 14 and New Zealand on the 15th. The closing of their participation will be on March 17, facing Spain. Before the qualifying tournament, one or two training camps are anticipated for the US team. These camps are likely to include Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.

There are a few things with USA Basketball that are probably my number one priority right now that I need to prepare for, and I think that will also help me prepare for next season,” Clark said. “Obviously, then you have to prepare for USA Basketball in some way, so there are a lot of different things you have to figure out and balance. And, you know, I’ll be working on that a lot too.

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, it is less certain that coach Kara Lawson will be able to be present. Lawson, coach of the Duke women’s team, was recently named U.S. Olympic coach for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The World Cup qualifier coincides with 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 qualifier. In addition to Puerto Rico, FIBA will 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, which is the host country. The three teams with the best performance, 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 secure their place.