Kara Lawson and Chelsea Gray Represent USA in FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

The United States Women’s National Basketball Team begins competition in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament on Wednesday in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Duke University head coach Kara Lawson will lead the team as head coach of the national squad for the first time. Former Duke star Chelsea Gray will also represent the Blue Devils as a player for Team USA. The United States has already secured a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, scheduled for September in Berlin, Germany. The team earned qualification after winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. Despite already qualifying, the tournament will provide valuable competition as the team prepares for the World Cup.

Lawson enters the tournament following a successful season at Duke. She guided the Blue Devils to both the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular-season championship and the ACC Tournament title. Duke also repeated as ACC Tournament champions, becoming the first program to win back-to-back titles since NC State accomplished the feat from 2020 to 2022. The victory marked Duke’s tenth ACC Tournament championship, tying the record for the most titles in conference history. Team USA’s roster includes several experienced international players. Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Dearica Hamby, and Kelsey Plum all competed in the 2022 World Cup qualifying events. Copper, Gray, and Plum were members of the U.S. team that captured the gold medal at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup. Hamby also brings international experience after earning a bronze medal in 3x3 basketball at the 2024 Olympic Games.

The United States opens the tournament against Senegal on March 11 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Historically, the Americans have dominated the matchup, holding a perfect 7–0 record against Senegal. Their most recent meeting occurred during the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament, when the U.S. won decisively 101–39 behind a 25-point performance from Rhyne Howard. On March 12, the United States will face host nation Puerto Rico at 8 p.m. ET. The teams previously met during the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, where the U.S. secured an 80–62 victory. The Americans will play Italy on March 14 at 5 p.m. ET. The matchup will be their first meeting since the 1979 World Championships. The two teams have split their previous contests, with the United States earning a narrow 66–64 victory in 1979.

Team USA returns to the court on March 15 to face New Zealand at 2 p.m. ET. The United States holds a 4–0 all-time record against the New Zealand national team. Their most recent meeting took place during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where the U.S. won 96–60.

The tournament concludes for the United States on March 17 with a game against Spain at 5 p.m. ET. The Americans have historically dominated this matchup as well, holding a 10–0 record against Spain. Their last meeting occurred during the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medal game, where the United States secured the victory and claimed its sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Meanwhile, the Duke women’s basketball team awaits the announcement of the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket. The tournament field will be revealed on March 15 at 8 p.m. on ESPN, while the top 16 teams hosting the opening rounds will be announced on March 14.