The ultimate for the 2026 FIBA Girls’s World Cup is about. As anticipated, it is going to be Staff USA versus France in a rematch of the gold medal recreation on the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The Individuals have been pushed to the restrict in that recreation and escaped with a one-point win when Gabby Williams‘ shot on the buzzer went in, however was dominated a two-pointer as a result of her foot was on the road. 

Williams and France have been on a roll in Berlin. In opposition to the hosts Germany within the semifinals on Saturday, Williams put up 22 factors, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals to proceed a stellar match that has her in line to probably win MVP no matter Sunday’s outcome. 

Different French standouts embrace New York Liberty guard Marine Johannès, Connecticut Solar guard Leïla Lacan and Williams’ Golden State Valkyries teammate Janelle Salaün. In reality, France’s roster options eight present WNBA gamers. The French are an ideal 5-0 within the match, and have received their video games by a median of 35.6 factors. France leads the match in scoring (96.2 factors per recreation), area objective share (51.6%), 3-point share (44.2%), 3-point area targets (73) and steals per recreation (13.2). 

Staff USA has not constantly reached the identical degree as France within the World Cup, however can be an ideal 5-0 and has essentially the most gifted roster on the earth. Will the Individuals win a fifth conscutive World Cup title and tie the Soviet Union’s file of 5 straight titles from 1959-75? Or will France pull off a historic upset and win their first ever World Cup title? 

The place to look at USA vs. France

Date: Sunday, Sept. 13 | Time: 2 p.m. ET
Location: Berlin Enviornment — Berlin, Germany
TV: TNT | Reside stream: HBO Max
Odds (by way of FanDuel): Staff USA -7.5 | O/U: 156.5

Predictions

Lindsay Gibbs: USA 82, France 74

The match now we have been ready for has arrived, and I’ve gone forwards and backwards on my prediction about 1,000,000 instances. Each groups appeared tight at instances of their semis, however pulled away comfortably late within the fourth quarter – albeit France extra so than Staff USA, defeating Germany by 22 factors ultimately. Gabby Williams, particularly, was completely sensational for Les Bleues.

Make no mistake about it, this French staff is able to beating america. If this was the WNBA Finals, I’d not be choosing a sweep. However alas, it isn’t. Finally, this version of Staff USA is simply too deep up and down the roster to be toppled, and whereas the Individuals have appeared removed from good in Berlin, they’ve discovered a manner. I believe the USA staff that finally loses on the world stage can have an air of superiority and entitlement to them. This staff appears to have a desperation to protect the legacy, and whereas that stress will be overwhelming, additionally it is centering.

There are too many gifted gamers on each rosters for me to level out one or two because the keys to the sport. As a substitute, I am going to boil it down to 2 primary statistics: turnovers and rebounds. Within the semis, France received the turnover battle 24-7 and had 29 factors off turnovers, in comparison with Germany’s eight. The USA, in the meantime, tied Spain with 15 turnovers and 15 factors off of turnovers every. France’s wings are going to get steals; Staff USA simply wants to verify it retains issues even on that entrance. In the meantime, the Individuals have to manage the boards. France was really out-rebounded by Germany 41-31. Though the host nation did not have the offensive firepower to benefit from that benefit, if america can mirror that rebounding margin, they’re going to be in unbelievable form.

Jack Maloney: USA wins, however France covers 

France has been one of the best staff in Berlin. Les Bleues have received each recreation by a minimum of 22 factors and are working on an incredible degree on each ends of the ground. Williams, who has been one of the best particular person participant within the match, is even higher in a French uniform than she is in a Valkyries one, and she or he has loads of assist alongside her. Not like different nations, France has a whole rotation price of WNBA gamers. 

Not solely does France have the expertise and depth to tug off an upset, they’ve loads of motivation after falling simply brief in opposition to Staff USA in Paris. France has by no means received a World Cup, and hasn’t received a significant worldwide match since EuroBasket Girls 2009. 

All that being stated, France has not performed anybody even near Staff USA’s degree in Berlin. As shaky as Staff USA has been at instances offensively, its protection has been lights out. No opponent has scored greater than 66 factors, none have shot higher than 37.9% in opposition to Staff USA, and all 5 of them have turned the ball over a minimum of 15 instances. 

The rosters clearly aren’t precisely the identical as they have been in Paris two summers in the past, however within the gold medal recreation France scored 66 factors on 32% taking pictures and dedicated 14 turnovers. France ought to have the ability to maintain this recreation shut, however Staff USA’s protection will in the end be the difference-maker and assist the Individuals win a fifth consecutive World Cup title.