How FIBA World Cup impacts WNBA players at home and abroad, creates opportunity that's 'good for our league'

The WNBA's annual hiatus for international competitions, namely the Olympics and FIBA World Cup, allows players to represent their national teams and gain much-needed rest. However, the league's recent expansion to a 44-game schedule has made it challenging to fit this break into the calendar. Fortunately, FIBA's Central Board approved rescheduling the World Cup to later in the year, starting in 2030.

In 2026, the World Cup will be held in Germany from September 4-13, featuring 16 teams, including several WNBA players. During this time, players who aren't competing receive seven consecutive days off, which they can take as a full week or split into two separate periods. Teams are limited to seven practices per week during the break, with each session not exceeding three hours or four if it includes film or conditioning activities.

Players like Lynx guard Kayla McBride and Fever guard Sophie Cunningham see the break as beneficial for the league, as it allows for rest, relaxation, and additional practice time. The absence of key players during the break can impact team performance, but it also provides opportunities for other players to step up and contribute, as seen with the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, when the Mercury and Chicago Sky reached the Finals for the first time in league history.