Last updated: August 29, 2026
Caitlin Clark World Cup schedule tips off Friday, September 4, when Team USA faces China in Berlin. The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will be Clark’s first senior World Cup, and the defending champions are chasing a fifth straight title this year.
USA vs. China is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. ET on September 4. TNT and truTV coverage begins at 8 a.m., while HBO Max will stream the game.
Clark comes into this tournament in strong form. She is averaging 22.1 points and 8.3 assists for the Indiana Fever this season, then posted 34 points and 12 assists in Friday’s win over Connecticut. Reuters reported that Clark and Kelsey Mitchell each scored 34 in Indiana’s 111-91 victory. Over her past 10 games, Clark has averaged 24.9 points, 9.3 assists and 3.6 rebounds.
All times are Eastern. The official FIBA game schedule lists the tip times below. TNT Sports coverage begins 15 minutes before each scheduled USA tipoff.
Friday, September 4: USA vs. China
Scheduled tip: 8:15 a.m. ET
TV and streaming: TNT, truTV and HBO Max
Coverage begins: 8 a.m. ET
Sunday, September 6: Italy vs. USA
Scheduled tip: 2:45 p.m. ET
TV and streaming: TNT and HBO Max
Coverage begins: 2:30 p.m. ET
Monday, September 7: USA vs. Czechia
Scheduled tip: 2:45 p.m. ET
TV and streaming: TNT, truTV and HBO Max
Coverage begins: 2:30 p.m. ET
HBO Max has took over the World Cup, the platform will stream all 36 World Cup games. Every Team USA group-stage game will also air on TNT, while the China and Czechia games are on truTV. Fans can use the FIBA Game Center for live scores, box scores and updated standings.
China is FIBA’s No. 4-ranked team and the opponent USA beat 83-61 in the 2022 World Cup final. The opener is a real measuring-stick game, not an easy start. FIBA has highlighted China’s “Triple Towers” of Han Xu, Li Yueru and 7-foot-2 Ziyu Zhang.
China’s size can make driving lanes extremely tight and make entry passes harder for A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Aliyah Boston. Clark’s best answer is pace. If she gets into actions before China’s paint defense is set, Team USA can force the bigs to choose between her range and the pass to a finisher. Italy enters after a EuroBasket bronze run in 2025, while Czechia is back at the World Cup for the first time since 2014.
USA Basketball’s 12-player roster is coached by Kara Lawson and mixes established World Cup winners with seven first-time World Cup players.
Returning from the 2022 title team: Wilson, forward/center; Stewart, forward; Chelsea Gray, guard; Kelsey Plum, guard; and Kahleah Copper, guard/forward.
Making their World Cup debuts: Boston, center; Paige Bueckers, guard; Clark, guard; Napheesa Collier, forward; Rhyne Howard, guard; Angel Reese, forward; and Jackie Young, guard.
Clark’s USA résumé already gives a better answer than a generic projection. She averaged 11.6 points and a team-high 6.4 assists in five qualifying games as Team USA went 5-0, and she earned tournament MVP honors.
Lawson called Clark “one of the most dynamic playmakers in the world” after her qualifying debut. With Gray, Plum and Young sharing the guard minutes, Clark will not need to control every possession. Her value is in making the first defense move, then finding the clean pass before the floor closes.
Each team plays three group-stage games. The Group D winner advances directly to the September 10 quarterfinals. The second- and third-place teams must win a qualification game on September 8 or 9, while last place is eliminated. The semifinals are September 12, followed by the World Cup final on September 13.
That makes the China opener important. Winning Group D gives Team USA an extra day of rest and avoids an elimination game before the quarterfinals.
Group D begins with every team at 0-0.
USA: 0-0
China: 0-0
Italy: 0-0
Czechia: 0-0
Next USA game: China on September 4 at 8:15 a.m. ET. After each Team USA game, this section will add the final score, Clark’s stat line, the revised Group D standings and the next opponent.
For more on Clark’s WNBA season, see Stadium Rant’s look back at her 45-point game against Seattle and its Fever vs. Sky prediction and Caitlin Clark prop analysis.
Clark and Team USA open against China on Friday, September 4. The scheduled tip is 8:15 a.m. ET, with TNT and truTV coverage beginning at 8 a.m.
USA vs. China is on TNT, truTV and HBO Max. Every Team USA group-stage game will air on TNT and HBO Max.
Yes. Clark is one of 12 players selected by USA Basketball for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin.
Yes. Clark played on USA Basketball junior teams before making her senior competitive debut at the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament. She helped Team USA go 5-0 and earned MVP honors. Berlin will be her first senior World Cup.
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