U.S. Women’s Basketball Stars Wilson and Plum ruled out of FIBA World Cup

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 2, 2026

The United States women’s basketball team will compete in the FIBA Women’s World Cup without star players A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, who were replaced by Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron due to health concerns. This absence increases reliance on younger talents and seasoned Olympians as the team aims to defend its title, starting with a challenging opening game against China.

The United States women’s basketball team will enter the FIBA Women’s World Cup without two of its star players, as A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum have been ruled out due to health concerns, USA Basketball announced Monday. Both athletes will be replaced by Washington Mystics teammates Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron.

Wilson, a four-time WNBA Most Valuable Player, has carried a significant workload during the early part of the season for the Las Vegas Aces and requires rest ahead of the playoffs. Wilson was recognized as the most outstanding player at both the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2022 World Cup, making her absence a considerable loss for the U.S. roster.

Plum has been managing a persistent calf injury that has lingered throughout the WNBA season and has not fully healed. Plum was instrumental in the United States’ narrow one-point victory over France in the gold medal game at the Paris Olympics.

The replacements, Iriafen and Citron, have prior experience with USA Basketball camps. Iriafen was part of the team that competed in the World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico earlier this year, contributing to the United States' qualification. Citron, who missed that qualifier due to injury, will make her national team debut during the World Cup in Germany.

The U.S. team, which has secured the World Cup title at every tournament since earning bronze in 2006, will now place even greater reliance on its younger players. The roster features newcomers Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, Rhyne Howard, and Aliyah Boston, all making their World Cup debuts. These emerging players will be supported by experienced Olympic medalists including Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and Kahleah Copper.

The tournament will begin with the United States facing China on Friday. The Chinese roster boasts a formidable front line, anchored by 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu, 6-foot-10 Han Xu, and 6-foot-7 Li Yueru. The two teams last met in the 2022 World Cup final held in Australia, underscoring the high stakes for the opening match.

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