Just days before the highly anticipated 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup tips off in Berlin, Team USA announced on Monday (31 August) that A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum will miss the competition for health reasons.
While Team USA will certainly miss two of its most experienced stars, the roster spot openings have created an opportunity for Washington Mystics teammates Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron, who will take their place.
The late changes remove two veteran anchors from a U.S. team pursuing a fifth consecutive Women’s Basketball World Cup title.
For Iriafen, the call-up marks a return to the senior national team after helping the United States go on an undefeated run during the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Puerto Rico earlier this year. Citron is set to make her senior national team debut on one of international basketball’s biggest stages.
But the absence of Wilson, in particular, leaves Team USA without one of the most accomplished and battle-tested players in international women’s basketball.
There are good players. There are great players. Then there is A’ja Wilson.
READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/aja-wilson-out-of-fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026-team-usa
