Breanna Stewart capped another dominant individual tournament with a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double as the United States rallied from a 14-point first-half hole to defeat France 97-79 in the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup final at the Berlin Arena on Sunday.
The result gave the Americans a record-extending 12th World Cup crown and a fifth consecutive title, stretching an unbeaten run at major international tournaments — Olympics and World Cups combined — to two decades. France, who had never previously reached a World Cup final, settled for silver in the programme's best-ever finish.
A French blitz and an American awakening
For the first 15 minutes, it looked as though France might pull off the upset of the tournament. Gabby Williams scored 16 first-half points, spearheading a 21-2 French run that opened a 31-17 lead midway through the second quarter. Dominique Malonga was equally problematic for the American defence inside, and the Paris 2024 silver medallists moved the ball with a confidence that rattled a US side that had already looked shaky in wins over Italy and Spain.
Then Caitlin Clark changed the math. The Indiana Fever guard, quiet for much of the competition including a one-point semi-final against Spain, drilled a three-pointer at the buzzer to cut France's advantage to 45-43 at half-time — the narrowest half-time margin in a Women's World Cup final in modern history.
Third-quarter surge
The break proved to be the turning point. Jackie Young, who had steadied the US with two quick triples before the interval, opened the second half with another. Kahleah Copper followed with a three of her own. By the time Clark buried another deep shot, the Americans had ripped off a 30-12 third quarter and seized a 73-57 lead they would not relinquish.
France, forced into a more half-court game by America's renewed defensive intensity, could not generate the same rhythm that had produced their first-half blitz. Williams was held to just four second-half points. The French offence, which had been the most efficient in the tournament, managed only 34 points across the final two quarters.
Stewart, the 31-year-old Seattle Storm forward, was relentless on both ends. Her double-double — 22 points on efficient shooting and 10 rebounds — earned her the TISSOT MVP award, making her the first player in history to win the honour twice at a Women's World Cup. She becomes the latest in a lineage of American greats — from Lisa Leslie to Diana Taurasi — who have defined this tournament.
Young finished with 18 points, six rebounds and five assists, her four three-pointers the dagger that repeatedly stalled French momentum. Clark added 12 points, including the buzzer-beater that likely prevented a double-digit half-time deficit.
France's maiden final
For France, the defeat stung but the achievement was real. No French women's team had reached a World Cup final since 1953, and Les Bleues swept through the group stage and knockout rounds without a single opponent coming within 20 points. Williams, named player of the match in the semi-final win over Germany, was outstanding again early but could not sustain the output against America's second-half adjustments.
France coach and staff will take confidence from the way the team competed against the sport's dominant power. The question now is whether this generation — Williams, Malonga and a deep supporting cast — can convert a silver medal into gold at the next opportunity.
A rivalry renewed
The final was a repeat of the 2024 Paris Olympic gold-medal game, which the US won by a single point. France pushed the Americans closer than almost anyone in recent memory on that occasion, and the sequel delivered more drama. The two programs appear destined to meet again at major tournaments, with France narrowing the gap and the US showing just enough vulnerability to keep the rivalry alive.
Spain took bronze earlier on Sunday, beating hosts Germany 81-58 behind Iyana Martin's 20-point, nine-assist display.
Sources
- https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/13/usa-fiba-womens-world-cup-france-breanna-stewart-caitlin-clark
- https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/9/13/usa-defeat-france-to-win-12th-fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup
- https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/usa-vs-france-box-score-180001373.html
