The teams are finalized. The stakes are higher than ever. Team USA is all set to take the court on September 4 for their debut game in the 2026 FIBA World Cup against China. And after their performance in the qualifiers earlier this year, the Americans will enter this tournament as massive fan favorites. However, with A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum now out of the team due to health issues, could it affect their chances of winning? WNBA reporter Roberta F. Rodrigues thinks so.
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Taking to X, the Brazilian-American WBB reporter expressed her concerns about the team losing two of its biggest stars, which could potentially cost Team USA its fifth consecutive World Cup win.
“My take before the recent USAB announcements was that the USA would win the World Cup by beating France in the final, but would lose one game in the group phase. Now, without A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, who are experienced FIBA players, I’m not so confident in that,” Roberta wrote. “I believe the USA could lose to Spain in the semifinals since it’s more likely that #1 of groups A and D will be playing in it.”
A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum are two of the most accomplished and battle-tested players in international women’s basketball. The Las Vegas Aces star helped the Americans win two World Cup gold medals, one in Spain in 2018 and another in Australia in 2022. Wilson is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist and was named the Most Outstanding Player at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2022 World Cup.
On the other hand, the Phoenix Mercury star has her fair share of history in international waters. She played a massive role in Team USA’s 5-0 record in the qualifying tournament. And in the final game against Spain, Plum scored 18 points in an 84-70 victory.
So, both of their exits will definitely affect the team, as the Americans will lose Wilson’s presence on defense and the glass, along with Plum’s clutch scoring ability. But in reality, that doesn’t take much away from the Americans. They are still widely considered the favorites to win this tournament.
Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron have already taken A’ja Wilson’s and Kelsey Plum’s places on the roster. The team still has three of the WNBA’s top young players who will team up together: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers.
Then there is the veteran experience of Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Chelsea Gray, and Kahleah Copper.
This depth is precisely why Wilson and Plum’s departures should not be mistaken for a collapse in Team USA’s championship chances. FIBA itself still describes the Americans as the “red hot favorites” to retain the crown even after the roster changes.
The Americans open their campaign against China before facing Italy and Czechia in group play. Hence, their first task will be establishing that the loss of two proven international stars has not fundamentally altered the team’s ceiling.
For years, Team USA’s dominance has been defined by the enormous distance between it and the rest of the world. Wilson and Plum leaving does not erase that advantage. It simply makes the gap a little smaller and potentially gives Spain, France, and the other contenders their best opportunity yet to push the Americans out of their comfort zone.
But Team USA already has an upper hand over teams like Spain, which, by the way, didn’t have A’ja Wilson on the roster.