Team USA's road to a fifth straight FIBA World Cup title hit a big bump before the plane even left the ground.

Just days before the tournament begins in Berlin, USA Basketball announced that two of its biggest champions, A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, will not compete due to health reasons.

Washington Mystics teammates Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron have been added in their place, per ESPN's Alexa Philippou.

"Breaking: Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson will no longer compete for Team USA at the upcoming FIBA Women's World Cup due to health reasons, USA Basketball announced. The Mystics' Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron have been named to the roster in their place," Philippou shared the update on X.

The news surrounding Wilson comes after a demanding season with the Las Vegas Aces. While Wilson has played at an MVP level all year, her health has not been completely clean.

She missed time earlier in the summer with an ankle issue, and a nagging back problem landed her on the injury report twice in the final week before the international break.

Speaking on 'The Dunker Spot' podcast in late July about balancing USA Basketball duties with a title chase in Las Vegas, Wilson had already hinted that a break might be necessary.

"I have given it some thought, not going to lie... My body will tell it all," she noted.

For Plum, the decision marks the end of a difficult, injury-riddled year.

"I did everything I could to be back on the court, but just ran out of time," Plum wrote in a statement on Instagram on Monday.

Plum has been dealing with a lower left-leg injury for much of the season. She missed six weeks earlier in the year and played only 17 games this season. Her 2026 season is now over.

While losing two veterans is a massive loss, it opens the door for two rising players.

Iriafen is already familiar with the national team system. She helped the United States through an undefeated run at the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico.

Her Mystics teammate, Sonia Citron, missed those qualifiers due to an injury. She will now make her senior national team debut on Friday when the U.S. faces China.

What this means for Team USA

Team USA enters the tournament chasing a fifth consecutive World Cup gold medal and a 12th title overall.

They have not lost a game at the World Cup or the Olympics in two decades, with their only setback in 2006.

In that tournament, Lisa Leslie had to withdraw at the last moment following a family emergency, per the Associated Press. The U.S. ended up with the bronze medal.

Replacing Wilson's presence will be a tall task. She is a four-time WNBA MVP, three-time WNBA champion, and three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

On the international stage, she won the MVP honors at both the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Plum's resume is just as decorated. A two-time WNBA champion, Plum has won two World Cup gold medals and two Olympic golds across 3x3 and 5-on-5 competition.

Without Wilson and Plum, the veteran leadership falls squarely on Breanna Stewart, alongside other Olympic gold medalists Napheesa Collier, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and Kahleah Copper.

Written by

Md Saife Fida