Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese unite on a star-studded US World Cup
qualifying roster
[February 12, 2026]
By DOUG FEINBERG
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will team up on the U.S.
women's basketball World Cup qualifying roster that will play next month
in Puerto Rico.
The two young stars headline the 12-player team that has a mix of
veterans and youth. Clark and Reese have helped the rise of women's
basketball over the past few years, starting with their memorable
meeting in the NCAA championship game in 2023 that LSU won. |
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, left, fouls Chicago Sky forward Angel
Reese, center, during the second half an WNBA basketball game in
Indianapolis, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File) |
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They'll be joined by 2024 Olympic gold medalists Kahleah Copper,
Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young. Dearica Hamby and
Rhyne Howard won the 3x3 bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Games.
Also making their national team debut will be Paige Bueckers,
Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen. Aliyah Boston, who played for the
U.S. at the Olympic qualifying tournament in 2024, rounds out
the squad.
Clark only played in 13 WNBA games last season while dealing
with a host of injuries. She participated in a USA camp in
December and said she was healthy.
Three-time Olympic and world champion Breanna Stewart will train
with the team in Miami on March 7-8, but won't play in the
tournament.
U.S. Olympic coach Kara Lawson will lead the team in San Juan
for the first part of the tournament before returning to Duke to
prepare the Blue Devils for the NCAA Tournament. She'll be
assisted by Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbets and Stephanie White.
The trio were court coaches at that U.S. training camp in
December.
The U.S. will face Senegal, Puerto Rico, Italy, New Zealand and
Spain in the tournament. The Americans have already qualified
for the World Cup in Berlin from Sept. 4-13.
The Americans are looking for a fifth consecutive World Cup
championship.
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