Team USA announced its 12-player roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup on Thursday. As always, a few notable players failed to make the final squad, and this year was no different. The 12-player rosters can be adjusted leading up to the tournament in case of injury or illness, and some players who missed the cut are doing their best to make a good impression in case an opening occurs. With that in mind, here’s a look at three of the biggest snubs from Team USA’s World Cup roster ahead of the tournament, which will be held in Berlin from September 4-13, 2026.
The most notable player left off the Team USA roster is Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles. She is having a marvelous rookie season and has quickly become one of the favorites for both Rookie of the Year and MVP honors. She is a winner through and through, someone you can rely on in any situation. Miles may be slightly undersized at 5-foot-10, but she plays a speedy, tenacious game and has showcased exceptional skill so far, averaging 19.7 points, 5.8 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game, proving she can play an all-around game and thrive in high moments.
It appears that the American roster has been crafted to better fit head coach Kara Lawson’s familiarity. However, leaving off one of the WNBA’s most productive playmakers is a gamble that will be scrutinized heavily if Team USA struggles to generate offense. For now, Miles’ exclusion stands as one of the most surprising decisions of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup roster, serving as a reminder that even elite performance does not always guarantee a spot on basketball’s biggest stage. Interestingly, Miles’ Lynx teammate, Napheesa Collier, who missed a significant portion of the season due to injury, did make the squad and will likely slot in as the team’s starting forward.
It’s gotten to the point with Kelsey Mitchell where her omission from Team USA feels far more political than performance-based. While selectors chose Chelsea Gray and Rhyne Howard—both of whom deserve to be there—neither is miles ahead of Mitchell, who is having another monster season. Mitchell is averaging 24.0 points per game, providing excellent depth and leadership for one of the league’s most surprising teams this year. No offense to Gray or Howard, but Mitchell has been a far more impactful player and contributor for her team this season.
Mitchell also ranks second in the league in scoring behind A’ja Wilson. She may not be the flashiest player, but she is still among the quickest on the floor and knows exactly how to use her size to create space for herself and her teammates. Her basketball IQ and commitment to the game’s little details are fairly underrated, making her a natural fit up and down the Team USA roster. Her exclusion leaves a void in scoring punch that the current roster will need to compensate for during the tournament.
Sonia Citron was another surprising omission from Team USA’s World Cup roster despite putting together an impressive season. She could have seamlessly slotted in as a backup guard behind Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark while providing valuable minutes in a variety of situations. All of Team USA’s guards for the World Cup are having good seasons, but Citron’s chemistry and experience playing alongside Clark could have been something the team leaned on, as that is often where she has looked her best. Giving Citron the chance to show what she can do with Team USA at training camp would have made a lot of sense, given her potential to flourish and become one of Team USA’s best guards.
3 Biggest Snubs From Team USA’s FIBA Women’s World Cup Roster
