The United States secured its fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup title with a 97-79 victory over France on Sunday in Berlin, reaffirming its dominant status in international women’s basketball. Despite mounting speculation that a rising French team might challenge the American dynasty, the U.S. team showcased resilience and depth to claim its 12th overall World Cup gold medal.
Entering the tournament, questions surrounded the U.S. roster amid a transitional phase that included the debuts of young talents such as Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese. Compounding concerns were last-minute injury withdrawals of A’ja Wilson—team leader and top scorer in recent major tournaments—and Kelsey Plum. Additionally, France entered the final undefeated and boasting a dominant tournament performance, intensifying the anticipation of a closely contested championship game.
The opening half underscored France’s competitive rise. The French side applied intense ball pressure and disrupted passing lanes, preventing the United States from finding offensive rhythm. France surged ahead with an 11-0 run and led by as much as 14 points early in the second quarter, marking the largest deficit faced by a U.S. team since 2006. However, the Americans narrowed the gap to two points by halftime following a spirited response led by Breanna Stewart and Jackie Young.
U.S. head coach Kara Lawson described her halftime message as focused on strategy, addressing defensive breakdowns and adjustments rather than motivational rhetoric. Stewart, who was named the tournament’s most valuable player for the second time, noted the coach’s confidence that the Americans would break through France’s defenses in the fourth quarter. Yet, the decisive shift came early in the third quarter as the U.S. team overturned the deficit and surged ahead.
France, which had averaged a 35.6-point margin of victory leading up to the final, appeared unsettled as the U.S. intensified its tempo and defensive pressure. Stewart’s aggressive offensive presence and Napheesa Collier’s timely basket propelled the United States to a lead it would extend to 19 points in the fourth quarter. Stewart finished with a game-high 22 points and 10 rebounds, marking her fourth World Cup gold medal and tying her with Sue Bird for the most in tournament history.
Five American players reached double figures in scoring, with Young contributing 18 points, Kahleah Copper adding 15, Chelsea Gray scoring 12, and Clark scoring 12 off the bench. Defensively, Copper, Young, and Rhyne Howard disrupted France’s offense, particularly limiting Gabby Williams, France’s leading scorer, who was held scoreless for the entire third quarter and largely contained thereafter.
Lawson emphasized the significance of the experience gained by younger players, particularly Clark, Reese, and Howard, who saw considerable playing time. She expressed confidence that these lessons would benefit the team in future international competitions, including the upcoming Olympics.
France’s silver medal marked its best World Cup performance to date and its first podium finish since 1953. Spain secured the bronze medal by defeating Germany 81-58, showcasing the growing global competitiveness of women’s basketball.
Looking ahead, the next Women’s Basketball World Cup is scheduled for 2030 in Tokyo and will feature a new window, running from late November into early December. This scheduling change eliminates overlap with the WNBA season, reflecting the continued expansion and professionalization of the women’s game worldwide.