Team USA’s dominant wins and returns of impact players make them heavy favorites in the FIBA qualifiers; punters should back the U.S. to win and cover large spreads against Italy, New Zealand and Puerto Rico, and consider over bets on totals given the offense’s firepower despite occasional cohesion issues.
Team USA Shows Firepower and Flaws at FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifiers
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, the United States women's national basketball team has begun the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament with emphatic victories that underline elite talent but also reveal early chemistry issues.
Blowout Wins Highlight Talent
A returning veteran guard made her senior national team debut after an extended absence, pouring in 17 points and dishing 12 assists in a 110-46 rout of Senegal. The performance showcased her playmaking and scoring instincts and immediately positioned her as a central figure in this revamped roster.
Hot on that effort, Paige Bueckers led the scoring in a 91-48 victory over Puerto Rico with 16 points and earned Player of the Game honors. Her scoring instincts, court vision and versatility provided clear evidence she can be a linchpin for Team USA moving forward.
Supporting Cast and Impact Plays
A forward posted a gritty double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, emphasizing the team’s physical presence on the glass. Other role players contributed timely defense, hustle plays and secondary scoring, offering glimpses of the depth that could carry Team USA deep into the World Cup.
Concerns Over Cohesion Despite Lopsided Scores
Despite the margins of victory, critics have raised concerns about the team’s rhythm. A WNBA analyst described the Puerto Rico game as "almost completely in the other direction as far as how ugly it was," adding the squad looked "just out of sync top to bottom" and that portions of the performance were "a little bit of a rough watch." Those observations underscore the gap between individual talent and collective execution.
What Coaches and Fans Will Watch
Coaches will prioritize ball movement, defensive rotations and continuity in set plays as the roster continues to integrate returning veterans and new additions. Fans and analysts expect the team to tighten up before facing stiffer competition.
Up Next: Favorable Matchups and Betting Outlook
Team USA now shifts focus to qualifiers against Italy, New Zealand and Spain — opponents the Americans are heavily favored to beat. While these matchups should produce more wins, they’ll also serve as key tests for cohesion ahead of the 2026 FIBA World Cup in Berlin.
Implications for Bettors
Given the offensive firepower and clear mismatch against most regional opponents, bettors may favor the U.S. to win and cover substantial spreads in upcoming games.
‘London is a second home to me’: Steve Nash on the NBA, punditry and non-league football
However, occasional lapses in cohesion suggest monitoring live lines and totals, as scoring surges and defensive lapses could produce volatile game flows.
Marca Claro
