BERLIN — The United States defeated France 97-79 to win the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup. The victory marked the United States' fifth consecutive Women's World Cup title.

Breanna Stewart was named the tournament MVP, becoming the first player to win the award twice after previously earning it in 2018. Stewart scored 22 points, recorded 10 rebounds and added four assists in the final. Jackie Young contributed 18 points and was named the Player of the Game by FIBA. Caitlin Clark scored 12 points for the United States.

France earned the silver medal, its best finish in World Cup history. Dominique Malonga scored 21 points for France, while Gabby Williams added 20 points. The United States has won 12 overall Women's World Cup titles and improved to 9-0 in World Cup gold-medal games.

France led by 14 points in the second quarter, and the United States trailed 45-43 at halftime. Clark hit a three-pointer just before halftime. The United States outscored France 30-12 in the third quarter to take control of the game.

"We knew France was going to go on a run. But it's on us to get back to who we are, and play how we want to play," Young said.

Kara Lawson, the head coach of the United States women's national team, praised Stewart's impact. "She is USA Basketball. When you think of the last 15 years, it's Stewie. We're just really lucky to be a part of her era," Lawson said.

Stewart has won four World Cup gold medals, tying Sue Bird for the most by an American player. According to France 24, Stewart has won three FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup titles since making her debut in 2014. Stewart has never lost a game in the World Cup, Olympics, or NCAA Tournament.

The United States extended its winning streak at the World Cup to 36 consecutive games. The team last lost a World Cup game in the semifinals of the 2006 tournament against Russia. The United States has not lost a game at the Olympics or World Cup in 20 years, with a total of 72 consecutive wins at major international tournaments.

Seven players made their World Cup debut for the United States. A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum were not on the roster for this tournament. Stewart averaged 12.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game during the tournament, shooting 55.3% from the field.

Young averaged 12.3 points and 3.2 assists per game. Clark led Team USA in assists with 32 during the tournament and scored 47 points across six games.

Spain defeated Germany 81-58 to win the bronze medal. Iyana Martin scored 20 points and recorded nine assists for Spain in the bronze medal game. The 2030 Women's World Cup will be hosted in Tokyo and will take place in November and December.

Why It Matters

The United States tied the Soviet Union for the most consecutive World Cup titles with five. The Soviet Union won five consecutive titles from 1959 to 1975. The United States finished second in the 1983 World Cup to the Soviet Union, its only other non-gold finish in a gold-medal game era.

The 2026 World Cup final was a rematch of the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medal game, which the United States won by one point. Stewart said the team continues to set the standard for international basketball. "We are the standard," Stewart said. "USA Basketball has continued to show up and go for gold and to have done that however many times consecutively is an insane stat."

Timeline

On July 24, 1983, the United States finished second in the 1983 World Cup to the Soviet Union. On September 1, 2006, the United States last lost a World Cup game in the semifinals of the 2006 tournament against Russia. On June 17, 2018, Breanna Stewart previously won the World Cup MVP award in 2018.

On August 11, 2024, the United States defeated France by one point in the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medal game. Also on August 11, 2024, the 2026 World Cup final was a rematch of the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medal game.

On September 13, 2026, Caitlin Clark said, "I think we felt really good about where we were at. I think France was 8 for 14 (from 3-point range). We dug ourself a hole, but we climbed out of it, and I felt like we were never rattled by anything." Also on September 13, 2026, Breanna Stewart said, "I pride myself on being consistently great and that's showing up when it's the big moments, and the small moments, and all the moments in between." On the same day, Jackie Young said, "We knew France was going to go on a run. But it's on us to get back to who we are, and play how we want to play."

What's New

Later reporting included comments from players and officials not present in initial summaries. The official record of the event states that the USA won the FIBA Women's World Cup 2026 with a score of 97-79 against France, with Breanna Stewart being named the tournament MVP.

Breanna Stewart said, "I pride myself on being consistently great and that's showing up when it's the big moments, and the small moments, and all the moments in between." Jackie Young said, "We knew France was going to go on a run. But it's on us to get back to who we are, and play how we want to play." Additional context noted that Breanna Stewart has won three FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup titles since making her debut in 2014, according to France 24. Stewart also stated, "We are the standard," and added, "USA Basketball has continued to show up and go for gold and to have done that however many times consecutively is an insane stat." She further said, "We want to make sure that we continue to build on that standard and everybody else knows it."