The race to be crowned the best national team in women’s basketball has started as the United States made its 2026 tournament debut in Berlin.
The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup opened play Friday in Germany with eight group stage games.
Here’s a look at the results and highlights from today’s group stage action as the World Cup came a step closer to the knockout round.
Japan kicked off group stage play with one of the best shooting performances in FIBA World Cup history.
Japan made a single-game tournament-record 20 three-pointers in a 102-97 win over Mali.
Saki Hayashi went 9-of-15 shooting from deep to set the individual single-game tournament record, while Maki Takada hit a clutch late three-pointer to give her team the lead with 48 seconds remaining.
Aminata Sangare and Djeneba N’Diaye contributed 22 points each as Sika Kone posted a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double in Mali’s loss.
Australia 70, Puerto Rico 54
Australia opened the tournament in the win column after overcoming a mid-game push from Puerto Rico.
Australia climbed to a six-point lead in the first half before Puerto Rico climbed within one point of tying the game in the third.
Australia responded with a nine-point run to regain a comfortable advantage before closing out the win.
Stephanie Talbot led her team with 19 points in the win, while Alanna Smith, Ezi Magbegor and Jade Melbourne each contributed double-digit point totals of their own.
Arella Guirantes led Puerto Rico with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Imani McGee-Stafford contributed 11 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
