Women's Basketball World Cup Final Preview: USA Targets 5th Consecutive Title, France Aims for Gold and Revenge

On September 13 Beijing time, the Women's Basketball World Cup semifinals concluded. France defeated Germany 86-64, while the USA beat Spain 76-66. The final will be contested between the USA and France. The two top contenders will face off at 2:00 AM Beijing time on September 14. This final is bound to attract global attention and is expected to become a classic chapter in history.

Two years ago at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the two teams delivered an electrifying peak showdown that sold out arenas (the USA won a narrow 67-66 victory in the final). This week, discussions about which team deserves the world No. 1 ranking have not cooled down. All the suspense will soon be resolved as we see who can perform at their best.

The USA looks to continue its glorious history, aiming for its 12th championship title while seeking a fifth consecutive World Cup win since last missing the final in 2006. France has only stood on the World Cup podium once before, and that was 73 years ago at the first Women's Basketball World Cup held in Chile.

Can they create the greatest night in French basketball history?

Key Matchup to Watch

Gabby Williams is France's star player and a candidate for tournament MVP. She is all-around, consistently displaying strong mental toughness, defensive prowess, and leadership.

In this World Cup, her offensive game has also fully ignited, making her a major threat and a primary focus of the USA's scouting. As captain and core of the French women's basketball team (Les Bleues), her performance largely determines their ceiling.

But who will contain France's top star? Some believe the USA lacks a natural defensive matchup. Will they assign Jackie Young or Rhyne Howard to guard her?

Whoever takes the lead defender role will face the toughest assignment of the game. Meanwhile, the USA's help defense system will play a crucial role.

Key Question

If France can consistently hit crucial three-pointers, the USA will be in trouble. Conversely, if their three-point shooting goes cold, the pressure shifts to France. Which script will the game follow?

But three-point shooting is not the only aspect to watch. How will the new generation of the USA team withstand France's suffocating defense? Germany had played well earlier but ultimately collapsed under this high-intensity defensive pressure.

Recent Head-to-Head Review

Everyone is talking ahead of the game about that thrilling Paris 2024 Olympic final: the USA won 67-66 in a nail-biter.

Gabby Williams scored 19 points for France; tournament MVP A'ja Wilson posted a monster double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds, dominating that game.

The USA needs another MVP-caliber player to emerge in order to defend their championship throne.