The United States women’s basketball team is poised to move within two wins of a historic five‑peat at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. On Saturday, Sept. 12, the Americans will take on Spain in the semifinal showdown at Berlin Arena, with a spot in the gold‑medal game on the line.
U.S. Team Overview
Coach Kara Lawson’s squad entered the tournament on a 30‑game World Cup winning streak and has extended that run with four straight victories in Berlin. The United States went 3‑0 in the group stage, posting a narrow three‑point win over Italy between two blowout victories, before routing Hungary in the quarterfinals.
The team’s balanced offensive attack has been led by forward Jackie Young, who averages 11 points per game. Rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, making her World Cup debut, is among the tournament leaders in playmaking, dishing out an impressive seven assists per game.
Spain’s Path to the Semifinal
Spain earned its semifinal berth after a 2‑1 record in group play and a dominant quarterfinal win over bronze‑medalist Australia. The Spaniards are seeking their first World Cup title and a fourth podium finish overall.
Guard Iyana Martin, a 2026 first‑round pick of the Portland Fire who is expected to join the WNBA next season, leads Spain in scoring (16.5 points per game) and assists (3.3 per game). The roster also features several current WNBA players, including Seattle Storm rookie center Awa Fam, Toronto Tempo forward Maria Conde, and Fire center Megan DiLeo.
How to Watch
The semifinal tip‑off is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT/11 a.m. PT from Berlin Arena. The game will be broadcast nationally on TBS and can be streamed via TBS.com, the TBS app, and HBO Max.
The other semifinal – Olympic silver‑medalist France versus host Germany – begins at 10:30 a.m. ET, also on TBS and truTV. Both medal games will be played on Sunday, Sept. 13. The bronze‑medal contest starts at 10:30 a.m. ET, followed by the gold‑medal game at 2 p.m. ET.
What’s Next for the WNBA
After the World Cup, the WNBA regular season resumes on Thursday, Sept. 17, with the postseason slated to begin on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Fans of women’s basketball have a full weekend of high‑stakes international competition and a quick return to the professional season. Whether you’re cheering for Team USA’s quest for a fifth straight title or rooting for Spain’s historic breakthrough, the semifinals promise top‑level play and a showcase of the sport’s rising stars.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
