The United States rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat France 97-79 on Sunday in Berlin, claiming its fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup title. Breanna Stewart led all scorers with 22 points and added 10 rebounds and four assists, while Jackie Young scored 18 and Kahleah Copper added 15. France was led by Dominique Malonga with 21 points and Gabby Williams with 20.
France controlled much of the first half, using a 21-2 run to build a 14-point advantage early in the second quarter. The Americans cut the deficit to 45-43 by halftime, then took over with a 30-12 third quarter. Consecutive 3-pointers from Copper and Young put the U.S. ahead 58-51, and another Clark 3-pointer helped push the lead to 19 early in the fourth.
The victory gave the United States its 12th World Cup championship and extended its World Cup winning streak to 36 games, with its last loss coming in the 2006 semifinals. France earned its first World Cup medal with the silver and reached the final for the first time.
France’s next major scheduled event is FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027, set for June 16-27, while the United States is scheduled for the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2027 in San Salvador, El Salvador, from July 3-11.
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