USA defeats France 97-79 for fifth consecutive Women's World Cup gold, Sept. 13

Team USA women's basketball defeated France 97-79 on Sunday, September 13, 2026, in Berlin to win the gold medal at the FIBA Women's World Cup. The victory marked the program's fifth consecutive world championship.

The United States trailed by 14 points in the first half, the largest deficit of the tournament. The team built a lead as high as 27 points before the final margin settled at 18.

Breanna Stewart led Team USA with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists across a team-high 30 minutes, earning MVP honors for the tournament. Stewart became the first USA player to record a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double in a World Cup final. With this gold, Stewart won her fourth World Cup gold medal, tying Sue Bird for the most in World Cup history. According to Yahoo Sports, Stewart is also a three-time Olympic gold medalist and becomes the first player to win the FIBA World Cup MVP award twice.

Jackie Young scored 18 points with 6 rebounds and 5 assists while shooting 7-of-14 from the field and 4-of-7 from three. Young was named player of the game. According to Yahoo Sports' reporting, Young is the only USA player to score double digits in every World Cup game in Berlin, and became the first player in Women's World Cup history to have 15 or more points, five or more rebounds, and five or more assists in a final. Young is also the first player to win a high school state championship, NCAA title, WNBA title, Olympic 5x5 gold, 3x3 gold, and World Cup gold, per the outlet.

Kahleah Copper contributed 15 points, while Chelsea Gray and Caitlin Clark each scored 12 for the United States. The four veteran players, Stewart, Gray, Young, and Copper, combined for 65 points and each played at least 27 minutes. Paige Bueckers was limited to less than three minutes, while Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen played less than two minutes each. Team USA featured seven players making their major tournament debut for the senior national team, per Yahoo Sports.

France reached the gold medal game for the first time in program history. The team was paced by WNBA stars Gabby Williams and Dominique Malonga, who combined for 41 points.

Head coach Kara Lawson said of Stewart, according to Yahoo Sports: "Four World Cups? That's tied for the most ever. 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." Stewart stated of her team: "I've been fortunate to play with a lot of amazing players and this group was really special. The way that we were tested on and off the court and we continued to thrive through it, really proud of them and excited to get this gold and bring it home." Young said after the win: "Not really focused on the individual accolades. I'm just trying to do whatever I can to help my team win. And today it was just being aggressive. They're really physical with us, and so I just try to get to my spots and I hit a few shots early."