2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup: Full Schedule and Game Times
Get the complete television and game schedule for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, featuring Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Team USA.
A New Era of American Dominance
The global hierarchy of women’s basketball is on the line in Germany. The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, running from September 4 through September 13, has officially arrived. It brings a dramatic shift in energy, style, and star power.
The tournament represents a passing of the torch. Heavyweight icons have stepped aside. Now, the spotlight belongs to a hungry new generation of American talent. Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese are making their highly anticipated senior World Cup debuts. Their goal is simple. They want to secure a 12th gold medal for USA Basketball.
They are already off to a flying start. The Americans extended their historic World Cup winning streak to 32 games after grinding out a tough victory over Italy. That win followed a statement opening performance. Clark and Howard spearheaded a dominant offensive display to dismantle China in their very first game of the group stage.
Shocks, Injuries, and Off-Court Drama
This tournament is far from a predictable stroll. Early matchups have already delivered historic drama. In one of the biggest upsets in international basketball history, Mali shocked Spain. The unexpected victory sent shockwaves through the bracket, proving that the gap between the traditional powers and the rest of the world is shrinking fast.
The stakes are high, and the physical toll is already mounting. The tournament lost one of its biggest stars before things even got fully underway. New York Liberty standout Satou Sabally was ruled out for the remainder of the season after sustaining a concussion. It is a massive blow for both her club and her national team’s aspirations.
Off the court, the broader women’s basketball landscape is experiencing its own seismic shifts. The WNBA paused its regular season schedule to let its stars head to Germany. This temporary hiatus comes at a monumental moment for the league. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert recently announced her plans to retire, leaving behind a legacy of unprecedented growth, securing billions of dollars in future media rights deals for American domestic basketball.
The 2026 FIBA World Cup Group Stage Schedule
With sixteen teams fighting for survival, every group stage game carries immense weight. Fans back in the United States will have to set their alarms early to catch the action live. All listed times are in Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Friday, September 4
- Australia vs. Puerto Rico: 5:30 a.m.
- Japan vs. Mali: 5:30 a.m.
- South Korea vs. Nigeria: 6:30 a.m.
- United States vs. China: 8:15 a.m.
- Belgium vs. Türkiye: 11:30 a.m.
- Spain vs. Germany: 11:45 a.m.
- Czechia vs. Italy: 2:15 p.m.
- Hungary vs. France: 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 5
- Mali vs. Spain: 5:30 a.m.
- Nigeria vs. Hungary: 8:15 a.m.
- Germany vs. Japan: 12:00 p.m.
- France vs. South Korea: 2:45 p.m.
Sunday, September 6
- Türkiye vs. Australia: 5:30 a.m.
- China vs. Czechia: 8:30 a.m.
- Puerto Rico vs. Belgium: 11:45 a.m.
- Italy vs. United States: 2:45 p.m.
Monday, September 7
- Puerto Rico vs. Türkiye: 5:30 a.m.
- Belgium vs. Australia: 5:30 a.m.
- Hungary vs. South Korea: 8:30 a.m.
- Nigeria vs. France: 8:30 a.m.
- Japan vs. Spain: 11:50 a.m.
- Germany vs. Mali: 11:50 a.m.
Tuesday, September 8
- Italy vs. China: 2:45 p.m.
- United States vs. Czechia: 2:45 p.m.
The path to the gold medal is set. The Americans remain the clear favorites, but as the opening days have shown, no team can afford to look ahead.
