The United States began their World Cup competition with a resounding victory against China.
The United States, favorites for the 2026 World Cup season (September 4-13 in Berlin), had little trouble against China on Friday game (94-61). China, having lost, could now face France in the quarterfinals game.
The arrival of the American team on the court at this German World Cup competition is never a discreet affair. This Friday, despite the rather unusual time for a game by the four-time defending champions record (2:15 p.m.), and despite the venue—the Max-Schmeling-Halle, with its 8,000 seats—the first entrance of the squad led by Caitlin Clark was met with cheers from a captivated crowd. Behind the bench occupied by China team, Team USA’s first opponent, some young supporters were even seen bursting into tears of emotion at the prospect of witnessing so much talent players.
It should also be noted that Clark, who was absent from the Paris Olympics game (because she wasn’t selected), Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese received the loudest applause during the team introductions. However, they all started the game on the bench side. The same was true for the imposing Chinese center Ziyu Zhang (2.23 m).
Although the arena failed to fill up despite the enticing duel between the two finalists of the previous edition (83-61 for the USA, in Sydney) score line, the 4,800 watcher present were able to see that there is indeed a world of difference between a Chinese nation team with measured ambitions, altered by the – improbable – last-minute absence of center Yueru Li , and the Americans, whose lack of preparation (all the players having arrived from the WNBA) does not seem to disturb them.
