USA Caitlin Clark and Italy Francesca Pasa fight for the ball during a game between The United States and Italy in the group phase at the FIBA Women s Basketball World Cup, on Sunday 6 September 2026, in Berlin, Germany. The FIBA Women s Basketball World Cup takes place in Berlin from 4 to 23 September 2026. VIRGINIExLEFOUR PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBELxFRAxNEDxLUX x185482511x
USA Caitlin Clark and Italy Francesca Pasa fight for the ball during a game between The United States and Italy in the group phase at the FIBA Women s Basketball World Cup, on Sunday 6 September 2026, in Berlin, Germany. The FIBA Women s Basketball World Cup takes place in Berlin from 4 to 23 September 2026. VIRGINIExLEFOUR PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBELxFRAxNEDxLUX x185482511x
The USA has qualified for the quarterfinal round of the FIBA World Cup, with their first matchup against Hungary on September 10. Although they secured three back-to-back wins, the team has faced ups and downs in their journey so far.
Per ESPN reporter Alexa Philippou, Team USA head coach Kara Lawson has clarified her expectations for all the players, including Caitlin Clark, who was criticized for her underwhelming performance against Italy in the Group stage.
"You can't play poorly in the medal round and win. You have to play well," Lawson said during a Team USA practice session, per Philippou.
NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: Duke Countdown to Craziness Oct 3, 2025 Durham, NC, USA Duke Blue Devils head coach Kara Lawson addresses the crowd at the Countdown to Craziness at the Cameron Indoor Stadium. Durham Cameron Indoor Stadium NC USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJaylynnxNashx 20251003_szo_gf6_0149
NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: Duke Countdown to Craziness Oct 3, 2025 Durham, NC, USA Duke Blue Devils head coach Kara Lawson addresses the crowd at the Countdown to Craziness at the Cameron Indoor Stadium. Durham Cameron Indoor Stadium NC USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJaylynnxNashx 20251003_szo_gf6_0149
According to the September 10 ESPN report, Lawson referred to their previous games so far as learning opportunities, but warned that there was no more room for mistakes this deep into the tournament.
"Every day, we've gotten a little bit better. Today's practice was a little bit better than the game against Czechia, and that's what we've talked about: try to be the most improved team through the tournament. And if we can continue to do that, hopefully we can continue to get wins," she added.
The coach’s warning came after the USA defeated Italy during the Group stage with a mere three-point margin, 55-52.
Clark managed to score just one point in the entire game. Apart from Jackie Young and Angel Reese, the rest of the team also displayed an underwhelming performance.
Lawson isn’t the only one looking at the road ahead. Veteran player Breanna Stewart also expressed her take on learning from the Group stage games and using those lessons to the team’s advantage going forward.
Breanna Stewart on Team USA’s FIBA World Cup journey
In the same ESPN report, three-time World Cup gold medalist Breanna Stewart spoke on their takeaway from their wins against China, Italy, and Czechia during the 2026 FIBA World Cup Group stage games.
"Group play was a great test for us in a number of ways, and happy with the way that we handled Czechia in the last one," Stewart said on September 9. "And that's going to gear us up for tomorrow."
She further elaborated on their expectations going forward. Stewart explained that the team hasn’t played against Hungary enough to properly assess their strengths and weaknesses.
But she believes the team needs to control the play early on, since Hungary’s national team includes Minnesota Lynx forward Dorka Kata Juhász, known for dominating the frontcourt.
"We haven't really played Hungary, and knowing they have Dorka, they have strong post presence, but really trying to turn them over as much as possible, make the pace our type of style of play," Stewart said. "Excited for the opportunity."
Team USA are heavy favorites for winning the FIBA World Cup this year, especially with a number of talented WNBA stars making the roster. If they can win the championship this time, it will mark the USA’s 12th win overall, per DAZN.
Written by
Arundhoti Palit