USA overturn 14-point deficit to win women’s basketball World Cup
USA beat France 97–79 in Berlin for a fifth consecutive women’s basketball World Cup title. Hungary finished eighth.
Events: 4 Sept 2026 – 13 Sept 2026
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The United States beat France 97–79 in the women’s basketball World Cup final in Berlin on September 13. It was the Americans’ fifth consecutive title and twelfth overall, but they had to recover from a fourteen-point deficit. The final margin suggests a comfortable victory; the first half told a very different story. FIBA report
The third quarter changed the final
France led by fourteen early in the second quarter. The USA recovered before the interval: Caitlin Clark’s last-second three-pointer cut the French advantage to 45–43 at half-time. How the final unfolded
The Americans then won the third quarter 30–12. A two-point half-time deficit became a sixteen-point lead, and France could not reverse the contest in the final period. Official game data
Stewart and Young led the way
Breanna Stewart contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Jackie Young added 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Stewart also received the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award. FIBA tournament review
Hungary finished eighth
Hungary placed eighth in the official final standings, with China seventh. The USA completed the tournament with six wins and no defeats; France took silver and Spain bronze. Final standings
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