The United States captured its fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s World Cup title on September 13, 2026, overcoming a 14-point first-half deficit to defeat France 97-79 at Uber Arena in Berlin. Breanna Stewart led the charge with 22 points, securing her second tournament MVP award as the Americans extended their historic winning streak.
Berlin Showdown Tests the American Dynasty
The gold-medal match at the Uber Arena brought together the two heavyweights of international women’s basketball in a high-stakes rematch of the 2024 Paris Olympics final. For the Americans, the tournament finale in Berlin marked the culmination of a grueling path that tested the boundaries of their long-standing dominance. Entering the contest as perennial favorites who had not dropped a World Cup match since 2006, the team nevertheless looked vulnerable during earlier rounds, surviving tight scares against unheralded Italy and a fierce semifinal challenge from Spain.
France entered their maiden World Cup final seeking redemption for that narrow one-point Olympic loss in Paris. Backed by a pro-France crowd in the German capital, the challengers executed a brilliant opening half that left the defending champions scrambling.
French Surge Erases Early Lead Before the Break
The game’s turning point appeared to belong entirely to France during a blistering second quarter. Sparked by captain Gabby Williams, who tallied 16 of her 20 points in the opening half, the French side unleashed a relentless 21-2 run. That surge left the U.S. staring down a 14-point deficit—its largest of the entire tournament.
France’s perimeter shooting clicked into high gear as the underdogs dismantled the American defense. Yet the reigning champions refused to yield entirely. The comeback gained critical momentum when Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark drained a long-range three-pointer at the buzzer, slicing the French lead to just two points.
Third-Quarter Takeover and Stewart’s Record-Breaking MVP
Any French momentum evaporated completely as the teams returned for the second half.
Stewart anchored the decisive frame, tying the game on the very first possession with a layup and controlling the boards. While Williams went scoreless in the third quarter and France managed only a single three-pointer against a suffocating American defense, the U.S. stars took full control. Stewart finished with a game-high 22 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, earning her second career World Cup Most Valuable Player award.
“Our group, our starters, especially when we got down big, we didn’t crumble under pressure. We know we’ve been in these games, we’ve been in many, many games like this and basketball is a game of runs and their run wasn’t going to dictate how we were going to play the rest of the game and continuing to give each other confidence I think that was the thing.”
Breanna Stewart, USA Captain
Depth, Defense, and the 12th World Cup Crown
With the deficit wiped out, the Americans never took their foot off the gas in the final period. Clark added another three-pointer to stretch the lead to 19 points early in the fourth, finishing the game with 12 points. Young added 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while Chelsea Gray chipped in 12 points and five assists to keep the offense humming.
France struggled to regain composure under the second-half defensive pressure, committing 16 total turnovers. Despite strong contributions from Dominique Malonga, who scored 21 points, and Williams’s 20 points and seven assists, the French had to settle for a historic silver medal in their first-ever World Cup final appearance.
The 97-79 victory marks the 12th time the United States has won the women’s basketball World Cup, extending their tournament win streak to 36 games and cementing a two-decade unbeaten run across World Cup and Olympic competition.
Spain Claims Bronze in Berlin
Earlier on September 13, Spain rebounded from their heartbreaking semifinal loss to the Americans by dominating tournament hosts Germany 81-58 to claim the bronze medal. Iyana Martín orchestrated the Spanish victory with 20 points and a game-high nine assists, ensuring the host nation’s spirited run to the final four ended off the podium.
