Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers are two of the biggest stars in the world of basketball, even on a stacked Team USA roster for the World Cup qualifiers. The roster features a deep guard rotation, though, and fans should already get used to the possibility that Clark and Bueckers might come off the bench.
Both are talented players and the faces of USA Basketball’s future. But they don’t have the same international experience as some of the veterans on the roster. Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young won two WNBA championships with the Las Vegas Aces together and played big roles on the roster that won gold at the Paris Olympics in 2024. So did Kahleah Copper.
Even if Clark and Bueckers may come off the bench, both should see plenty of playing time and even share the court. The qualifying tournament is the perfect stage to allow newcomers to get used to international competitions at the senior level and show the rest of the world what the future holds for USA Basketball.
The team will make its debut next month
The actual World Cup will take place from September 4 to 13 in Berlin, Germany. USA Basketball might bring a different lineup to Berlin, as big-time stars like A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, and Alyssa Thomas, are absent from the roster for the qualifiers.
First, the team will have to worry about the qualifying tournament in San Juan March 11-17. Team USA will face Puerto Rico, Italy, New Zealand, Senegal, and Spain.
Italy finished third in the 2025 World Cup behind strong play from Cecilia Zandalasini and Lorela Cubaj. Spain won silver in the same tournament, led by Raquel Carrera and Alba Torrens. Awa Fam, a projected 2026 lottery pick in the W, and Iyana Martin, who could be a late first-round pick, also contributed.
While other countries also have great national teams, the U.S. should have few issues getting to the World Cup in September with such a talented, experienced, and star-studded team.
Clark and Bueckers will be the faces of USA Basketball for years
This tournament will mark the senior debuts of Bueckers, Clark, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and Angel Reese. Aliyah Boston already represented the senior national team in Belgium to qualify for the 2024 Olympics. Even though Clark and Bueckers haven’t made their senior national team debuts yet and will likely come off the bench—which also applies to Citron, Iriafen, and Reese—they are already firmly established as the new faces of USA Basketball.
Older stars like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, and Sabrina Ionescu aren’t going anywhere quite yet, but Sue Bird is clearly ushering in a new generation of stars and fans by adding so much young talent to the pool.
Clark and Bueckers could form a deadly guard duo in international competitions for many years. Opponents will have their hands full with their shotmaking, range, and playmaking. The same could be said about a Boston-Reese frontcourt pairing. While veteran Dearica Hamby should start next to Boston at the qualifying tournament, fans should get several chances to see Boston, Reese, and Iriafen share the frontcourt.