USA Basketball Women's National Team Prepares for 2026 FIBA World Cup

The team's recent training camp in Phoenix offered an early glimpse of the mindset, preparation, and leadership that will shape the journey ahead.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:50pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a fragmented, geometric scene of a women's basketball game, with overlapping planes of red, white, and blue colors representing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the national team.The USA Basketball Women's National Team's training camp in Phoenix showcases the team's blend of veteran leadership and rising young talent as they prepare for the 2026 FIBA World Cup.Phoenix Today

The USA Basketball Women's National Team gathered in Phoenix for a three-day training camp as they prepare for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup. The camp featured a mix of experienced veterans like Sabrina Ionescu and A'ja Wilson alongside rising young talents like Cameron Brink and Juju Watkins. The team is focused on building chemistry and leadership ahead of the World Cup in Berlin in September.

Why it matters

The U.S. women's national team has dominated international basketball, winning four consecutive FIBA World Cup gold medals and eight straight Olympic gold medals. As the game continues to grow globally, maintaining this level of excellence is crucial for the continued development and visibility of women's basketball.

The details

The training camp in Phoenix brought together a mix of champions, rising stars, and experienced veterans. Veteran leaders like Ionescu and Wilson are helping to guide the younger players and set the tone for the team. Emerging talents like Brink and Watkins are embracing the opportunity to learn from their more experienced teammates. The camp also comes as the WNBA is set to expand to 15 teams by 2026, further growing the women's game.

  • The USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp took place in Phoenix in April 2026.
  • The 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup is scheduled for September 4-13, 2026 in Berlin, Germany.

The players

Sabrina Ionescu

A star player for the New York Liberty, Ionescu has extensive experience with USA Basketball, including winning gold medals at the 2022 FIBA World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics.

A'ja Wilson

The Las Vegas Aces center, who won the WNBA title and Finals MVP in 2025, is bringing her championship experience and leadership to the national team.

Cameron Brink

The young Los Angeles Sparks player is embracing the learning opportunity at the training camp as she continues to recover from past injury setbacks.

Juju Watkins

The USC player is working through recovery from a torn ACL, but is still valued for her presence and mindset as part of the national team camp.

Napheesa Collier

The Minnesota Lynx veteran forward is motivated by the growing visibility and momentum of the women's game, including the WNBA's recent CBA deal and expansion plans.

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What they’re saying

“You have to pinch yourself sometimes. Just thinking about the fact that you get to put on this uniform and represent your country knowing it's everyone's dream and mine since I was little.”

— Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty Star

“They want to be sponges. I remember being in their spot, so I'm just proud of them.”

— A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces Center

“It's been really cool to actually be out there and be able to play live and get a feel for the game.”

— Cameron Brink, Los Angeles Sparks Player

“Just to be here in this space and get out of L.A. for a while, it's a different change of scenery. It's been really nice and reminds me to continue to stick with it.”

— Juju Watkins, USC Player

“The work and the product has always been there in our game. Now it's just more people tuning in.”

— Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx Forward

What’s next

The USA Basketball Women's National Team will continue training and evaluating the roster ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup in Berlin, Germany from September 4-13, 2026.

The takeaway

The USA Basketball Women's National Team is poised to maintain its dominance on the international stage, with a mix of veteran leadership and rising young talent. As the women's game continues to grow globally, this team's preparation and chemistry will be crucial to upholding the United States' legacy of excellence.