Four World Cups and a locker room full of newcomers. New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart is entering a phase of her USA Basketball career where she's no longer the one learning the ropes; she's the one teaching them.

Stewart discussed her evolving role on the Game Recognize Game w/Stewie & Myles YouTube show, reflecting on what it means to reach this stage of her international career.

"Absolutely. I think it's exactly that, you know. It's an incredible honor to be able to wear the USA across my chest anytime I get the opportunity to do it, and this will be my fourth World Cup, which is kind of crazy thinking about when I first started. I played my first one when I was going into my junior year in college, and now to be at my fourth, being more of a vet of the group," Stewart said.

This milestone makes Stewart one of a select few in the program’s history. Sue Bird is the only one to have participated in five World Cups for the USA, which ties with Stewart's four, along with Diana Taurasi, who also has four.

This experience of Stewart is more important than ever now due to the new players she will be playing alongside. In 2026, there are seven new faces for the World Cup who are making their World Cup debut.

"We have some newcomers, Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Aliyah Boston. So excited to continue to show them the ropes, but it's going to be really cool," Stewart added.

Clark, Bueckers, Reese and Boston will each make their first appearance at a major USA Basketball competition, joining a roster that also includes Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Rhyne Howard, Kelsey Plum, A'ja Wilson and Jackie Young.

Now, Team USA shifts its attention to once again defending its superiority on the global front.

Team USA's Path to a Fifth Straight Title

The team is looking forward to winning its fifth straight and twelfth World Cup gold medal with players like Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Stewart, and A'ja Wilson, who won the 2022 World Cup and aim to repeat as champions.

Wilson was named the tournament’s MVP after posting an average of 17.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

The USA team starts its tournament matches with China on September 4, where the USA team is 8-0 in previous games, including an 83-61 victory in the 2022 World Cup finals. The other matches will be against Italy on September 6 and Czechia on September 7.

Head coach Kara Lawson leads the staff, joined by assistants Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts, and Stephanie White, all of whom worked with the team during World Cup qualifying.

The semifinals are scheduled for September 12, with the championship game set for September 13 as Team USA looks to extend its historic winning streak.

Which of Team USA's newcomers do you think will make the biggest impact at their first World Cup? Comment below.

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Written by

Utsav Gupta

Edited by

Utsav Gupta