A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum are not playing for Team USA against Hungary in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup quarterfinal. Neither player is on the US roster for the tournament after both withdrew before it began, with USA Basketball citing health reasons.
Both WNBA stars withdrew from the 2026 World Cup before the tournament began, with USA Basketball citing health reasons. They were subsequently replaced by Washington Mystics players Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen.
Why is A’ja Wilson not playing for Team USA?
Wilson withdrew from the World Cup on August 31, just days before the United States opened its campaign in Berlin. She was the team’s leading scorer at the 2024 Paris Olympics and was the MVP of the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup. Plum had played only once since August 9 before Team USA’s World Cup roster was finalized. Both replacements are Washington Mystics teammates and joined the 12-player World Cup roster in their place.
Wilson’s absence is a major blow to Team USA. Her withdrawal left Team USA without another experienced guard as the team prepared for its World Cup campaign. Their inclusion allowed Team USA to maintain a full roster heading into the tournament despite the late withdrawals.
