USA edge Spain to book Women’s Basketball World Cup final against France

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-13T00:25:15.774Z • Permanent link

USA's women's basketball team, led by head coach Sue Bird, edged Spain 71-65 to secure a spot in the Women's Basketball World Cup final against France. The win marked a triumphant conclusion to a grueling tournament, with the USA advancing to their fifth World Cup final. Bird, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most decorated players in US history, praised her team's resilience and determination, saying "We've been in tough situations all tournament, and our girls have shown incredible heart and perseverance." The USA team, which also featured players such as Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd, will face France in the final on Sunday, with the winner claiming the coveted World Cup title.

The match was played at the Meralba Arena in Brasilia, Brazil, in front of a packed crowd of over 15,000 fans. The USA team's victory was fueled by a strong defensive performance, which limited Spain to just 31 points in the second half. Stewart, who scored 24 points in the game, was instrumental in the USA's success, using her dominant post play to control the game and limit Spain's scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, Loyd added 18 points and seven assists to complete a strong all-around performance.

Despite the USA's victory, the tournament has been marked by controversy over the use of technology to enhance player safety. The use of concussion protocols and other safety measures has been widely praised, but some players and coaches have expressed concerns over the impact of these measures on the game's pace and competitiveness. The issue has sparked a heated debate among fans, players, and coaches, with some arguing that the measures are necessary to protect player safety, while others believe that they are too restrictive and are affecting the game's integrity.

The USA's victory in the Women's Basketball World Cup final has significant implications for the global sports industry. The tournament is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious events in women's basketball, and the USA's win will give them a significant boost in terms of international recognition and reputation. The tournament has also been seen as a key platform for promoting women's sports, with many countries using the event to showcase their own women's teams and promote their own sports development programs.

The USA's victory has also had significant implications for the National Basketball Association (NBA), which has been working to increase its investment in women's basketball. The NBA has announced plans to launch a new women's league, which will feature teams from around the world and will be played in partnership with the WNBA. The league is expected to launch in 2025, and will provide a major platform for women's basketball players to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level.

The Women's Basketball World Cup final is just one part of a larger trend in women's sports, which has seen significant growth and investment in recent years. The tournament has been seen as a key platform for promoting women's sports, with many countries using the event to showcase their own women's teams and promote their own sports development programs. The tournament has also been marked by controversy over issues such as player safety and concussion protocols, which has sparked a heated debate among fans, players, and coaches.