USA World Cup roster shakeup in Berlin
USA World Cup roster shakeup in Berlin
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Key Points
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Iriafen and Citron had previously been part of USA Basketball camps; Iriafen played on the American squad that won the World Cup qualifier in Puerto Rico, while Citron had to miss that qualifier due to an injury and will be making her national team debut.
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Plum was recently traded to the Phoenix Mercury; she is sidelined with a lower-leg injury and will miss the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season.
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The absences come as the U.S. has dominated the World Cup since 2006, and losing two veterans could accelerate the team's youth movement, increasing pressure on breakout players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers.
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The World Cup is set in Berlin, with games hosted at venues including Max-Schmeling-Halle and Uber Arena; the U.S. opener is against China to kick off the tournament in early September.
Team USA will open the FIBA Women's World Cup against China in Berlin without two of its biggest stars. A'ja Wilson, a four-time WNBA MVP, and Kelsey Plum have withdrawn for health reasons, according to NBC Sports. They will be replaced by Washington Mystics players Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron, who make their debuts on the international stage.
Wilson has dealt with a heavy workload this season, while Plum was recently sidelined by a calf injury that will keep her out for the rest of the 2026 WNBA season, Larry Brown Sports reported. The roster changes mark a shift toward younger talent, putting more pressure on breakout stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers to lead the team in Berlin.
Two MVPs Step Back Before Tournament
A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum are both Olympic gold medalists who have anchored Team USA for years. According to Marca, Wilson's absence is especially significant given her four-time MVP status and importance to the team. Plum, a guard for the Phoenix Mercury, cannot play due to her lower-leg injury.
Review-Journal noted that Wilson has been managing a busy schedule and needed rest before the playoffs. Both players chose to skip the World Cup to recover rather than risk further injury. This marks only the second time in two decades that Team USA loses such prominent veterans before the tournament.
Mystics Duo Steps Into World Cup Spotlight
Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron will fill the gaps left by Wilson and Plum. According to Bleacher Report, Iriafen brings frontcourt depth while Citron adds versatile wing play. Both players are Washington Mystics teammates who have trained in USA Basketball camps before.
Citron is making her national team debut at the World Cup. Iriafen previously played for Team USA at the World Cup qualifier in Puerto Rico. The two form a Mystics-heavy rotation that will compete against China in Friday's opening game in Berlin.
Youth Movement Accelerates for American Women
The roster shakeup forces Team USA to lean heavily on its younger stars. Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers are now expected to shoulder more responsibility alongside remaining veterans. Marca highlighted how losing two experienced players could reshape the team's chemistry and strategy.
Team USA has dominated the FIBA World Cup since 2006, but this tournament marks a transition year. The additions of Iriafen and Citron, combined with expanded roles for breakout players, signal a shift toward building the next generation of American basketball talent heading toward future Olympic cycles.
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