US beats spirited France to win 12th women's basketball World Cup

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Published: 2026-09-13T20:56:19.244Z • Permanent link

Fierce competition marked the 12th women's basketball World Cup final in Berlin on Sunday, with the United States emerging victorious against a spirited France. The Americans, led by their experienced coach, Cheryl Reeve, dominated the game from start to finish, with their star player, Breanna Stewart, scoring 22 points. Meanwhile, French forward, Reli Gotrel, led her team with 18 points, but ultimately fell short. The U.S. team's victory marks a record-extending 12th title for the country, cementing their status as one of the top teams in the world.

Historically, the United States has been a powerhouse in women's basketball, with their first World Cup title coming in 1998. Since then, they have won nine more titles, with their most recent victory coming in 2018. France, on the other hand, has never won a World Cup title, but has shown significant improvement in recent years, finishing as high as second in 2018. The team's participation in the final marked a major milestone for French basketball, with many considering it a stepping stone to future success.

U.S. Basketball Association (USABA) officials have hailed the victory as a testament to the team's hard work and dedication. "This is a huge victory for the women's game in the United States and around the world," said USABA President, Jim Schindler. "We are proud of the team's performance and look forward to building on this success in the years to come." Meanwhile, the French team's coach, Laurent Dufaux, praised his team's effort, saying, "We gave it our all, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough. We will learn from this experience and come back stronger next year.

Economies worldwide are closely watching the outcome of the tournament, with many companies and investors placing significant bets on the teams' performance. In particular, companies like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour are expected to see a boost in sales following the U.S. team's victory. Research communities are also taking notice, with many analysts pointing to the tournament as a key indicator of global economic trends. According to a recent report by Euromonitor International, the global sports apparel market is expected to reach $365 billion by 2025, with the women's basketball market being a significant contributor to this growth.

Investors are also taking a closer look at the tournament's impact on the financial markets. Many analysts believe that the U.S. team's victory will lead to increased investor confidence, which could in turn boost the Dow Jones Industrial Average and other major stock indices. Furthermore, the tournament's high-profile players, such as Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird, are expected to see significant increases in endorsement deals and sponsorship opportunities following their victory.

The women's basketball World Cup has been a long-standing event in the international sports calendar, with the first tournament taking place in 1953. Over the years, the tournament has grown in popularity and competitiveness, with many countries investing significant resources in their national teams. The U.S. team's victory marks a significant milestone in the tournament's history, cementing their status as one of the top teams in the world. Meanwhile, the French team's participation in the final marked a major breakthrough for the country's basketball program, with many considering it a stepping stone to future success.