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Team USA Rolls Over France to Claim Gold Medal
Confirmed
In Short: The United States women's basketball team defeated France 97-79 in the final of the 2026 Women's Basketball World Cup, extending their record-extending title run.
Playing in their first-ever World Cup final, France sought revenge against the Americans but were unable to maintain their early lead.
The U.S. outscored France 30-12 in the third quarter, turning the match in their favor.
Despite a strong start, France struggled to maintain their momentum, with Gabby Williams scoring 16 points in the first half but only four more in the second.
Team USA's Kara Lawson praised Stewart's leadership, noting her willingness to help the team in any way possible.
What's confirmed
- Playing in their first-ever World Cup final, France sought revenge against the Americans but were unable to maintain their early lead.
- The U.S. outscored France 30-12 in the third quarter, turning the match in their favor.
- Despite a strong start, France struggled to maintain their momentum, with Gabby Williams scoring 16 points in the first half but only four more in the second.
- Team USA's Kara Lawson praised Stewart's leadership, noting her willingness to help the team in any way possible.
What's still developing
- No team had come within 20 points of France as they cruised into a maiden World Cup final and started strongly, ending the opening quarter with a three-point lead and running out to a 14-point lead midway through the second.
- Breanna Stewart leads comeback win for the record champions despite France’s early lead in the Berlin final.
- The United States have won the Women’s Basketball World Cup for a record-extending 12th time, defeating a spirited France 97-79 in the final in Berlin.
- USA trailed by two points at half-time to an energetic France side, but turned it on when it mattered, outscoring the Europeans 30-12 in the third quarter.
- Forced to up the ante, USA fought back with Young hitting two quick-fire threes and Clark grabbing one of her own seconds before half-time, cutting France’s lead to two points.
- USA were far more composed after that, with Clark finding her range from the field as the defending champions took the steam out of the match in the fourth as they kept the French at bay.
- She passed Cheryl Miller for fifth place on Team USA's World Cup scoring list during Sunday's game, and joined Sue Bird as the only Americans -- men or women -- to win four World Cup gold medals.
- Johannès was called for an unsportsmanlike foul after review, which meant Copper got four free throws and Team USA received the ball back.