Caitlin Clark Admits Rare Nerves Ahead of FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament

The Indiana Fever star is preparing to represent USA Basketball after an injury-plagued 2025 WNBA season.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Caitlin Clark, the star guard for the Indiana Fever, has opened up about feeling unusually nervous as she prepares to return to international competition at the upcoming FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico. Clark, who missed much of the 2025 WNBA season due to injuries, acknowledged that the long layoff from competitive basketball has left her with a rare case of pre-game jitters, something she says is uncharacteristic for her. Despite the nerves, Clark is eager to get back on the court and reestablish herself among the game's rising stars.

Why it matters

Clark's return to the national team stage is an important milestone after a difficult 2025 season marked by injuries that limited her playing time with the Fever. Her openness about feeling nervous highlights the challenges of returning to top-level competition after an extended absence, even for a player as talented and confident as Clark.

The details

Clark suffered a groin injury on July 15 last year against the Connecticut Sun, and her attempts to rehabilitate the injury were followed by a bone bruise in her left ankle, effectively ending her 2025 WNBA campaign. The 23-year-old has spent recent months working closely with the Fever's medical and player development staff to regain full health and rebuild her confidence ahead of the qualifying tournament.

  • The FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament will take place from March 11–17, 2026 in Puerto Rico.
  • Clark suffered her groin injury on July 15, 2025 during a game against the Connecticut Sun.

The players

Caitlin Clark

A star guard for the Indiana Fever who is preparing to represent USA Basketball in the upcoming FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament after missing much of the 2025 WNBA season due to injuries.

Angel Reese

A prominent American player who will also be competing in the FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament alongside Caitlin Clark.

Paige Bueckers

Another prominent American player who will be participating in the FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“I think it'll probably take me a second to knock a little bit of the rust off. I'll probably be a little bit nervous, which I usually don't get nervous, but that probably comes from I haven't really played basketball in a while.”

— Caitlin Clark (WISH-TV)

What’s next

The FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament will take place from March 11-17, 2026 in Puerto Rico, where Clark will make her return to international competition.

The takeaway

Caitlin Clark's openness about feeling uncharacteristically nervous ahead of the FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament highlights the challenges of returning to top-level competition after an extended absence due to injury. However, her determination to regain her rhythm and reestablish herself among the game's rising stars makes her upcoming debut with the senior national team an important milestone in her recovery.