A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum have officially been ruled out of the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup due to health issues, as announced by Team USA on Monday. In their absence, the Washington Mystics duo of Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron will make their major tournament debuts.

Plum's situation is particularly concerning; the Phoenix Mercury has declared her out for the remainder of the WNBA season due to a lower leg injury. This season has been challenging for her, as she has only played once since August 9. While Wilson is healthy, her decision to miss the World Cup seems to stem from fatigue, although no specific reason has been provided by Team USA or the Las Vegas Aces.

Wilson commented, "I'm gonna see when it gets to that moment and how I feel. My body's gonna tell it all," reflecting her cautious approach as she prioritizes her health. The Aces have also lost starting forward NaLyssa Smith for the season, adding more pressure on Wilson as they aim for a repeat championship.

This unexpected time off could benefit Wilson as she prepares for the playoffs, while other stars will face a grueling schedule traveling across the Atlantic. Despite the changes, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young remain key players for Team USA.

Wilson, likely to secure her third consecutive WNBA MVP, has been pivotal for Team USA in past tournaments, and her absence will be significantly felt. In Paris, she averaged 18.7 points and 10.2 rebounds, leading the Americans in the gold medal game against France.

Plum's contributions are also noteworthy; she played a crucial role in past victories, including the 2018 World Cup and 2022 World Cup. Newcomers Iriafen and Citron, while talented, do not match the experience and skill of Wilson and Plum.

New Team USA Roster

• Aliyah Boston (Fever, Frontcourt)
• Paige Bueckers (Wings, Guard)
• Sonia Citron (Mystics, Wing)
• Caitlin Clark (Fever, Guard)
• Napheesa Collier (Lynx, Frontcourt)
• Kahleah Copper (Mercury, Wing)
• Chelsea Gray (Aces, Guard)
• Rhyne Howard (Dream, Wing)
• Kiki Iriafen (Mystics, Frontcourt)
• Angel Reese (Dream, Frontcourt)
• Breanna Stewart (Liberty, Frontcourt)
• Jackie Young (Aces, Wing)

Upcoming Schedule

The World Cup kicks off on September 4 in Berlin, with Team USA drawn into Group D alongside China, Czechia, and Italy. Their group stage matches include:

• Sept. 4 vs. China
• Sept. 6 vs. Italy
• Sept. 7 vs. Czechia

The knockout stage begins with qualification rounds on Sept. 8 and 9. Team USA is expected to qualify for the quarterfinals on Sept. 10, followed by the semifinals on Sept. 12 and the final on Sept. 13.