Two years after she was a controversial snub by Team USA ahead of the 2024 Olympics, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will finally make her senior national team debut. Clark was named to the 2026 USA women’s World Cup qualifying team Wednesday, along with Angel Reese, Kelsey Plum and other WNBA stars.
Clark, 24, is coming off an injury-riddled second season in the WNBA. She was limited to just 13 games with the Fever, averaging 16.5 points and 8.8 assists per contest.
Following that injury-riddled year, Clark proved healthy enough to take part in Team USA’s camp a few months after the WNBA season ended. She made her camp debut in December, when she announced herself as fully recovered after quad, groin and ankle injuries during the WNBA season.
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Making the World Cup qualifying roster doesn’t guarantee Clark will make Team USA for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but it is her first step toward that goal. While Team USA has already qualified for the 2026 FIBA World Cup, the team will use the qualifying tournament as a way to prepare for the World Cup.
Being named to the qualifying roster doesn’t guarantee Clark will make the final World Cup roster either, though, again, it puts her in a pretty strong spot.
Team USA should be pretty stacked heading into the qualifier, which will take place between March 11-17 in Puerto Rico. In addition to Clark, other WNBA stars like Reese, Plum, Paige Bueckers, Dearica Hamby, Sonia Citron and Jackie Young will play in the qualifying tournament.
From there, Team USA general manager Sue Bird will determine the team’s roster for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in September.
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For the World Cup qualifier, Team USA will be coached by Duke women’s basketball coach Kara Lawson. Natalie Nakase of the Golden State Valkyries, Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury and Stephanie White of the Indiana Fever will serve as assistant coaches during the qualifiers.
Team USA is seeking its fifth straight win in the World Cup. The women’s team has been a dominant force in the tournament, winning the World Cup eight of the past 10 times the tournament was held.
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