ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup kicks off Sept. 4 in Berlin, Germany, bringing the WNBA to a halt for two weeks.
The fourth-place Atlanta Dream will have four players representing three countries in Germany.
Sika Koné (Mali)
Serbia’s Mina Dordevic, right, defends against Mali’s Sika Kone during their game at the women’s Basketball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)(Rick Rycroft | AP)
Mali has been a consistent contender in African women’s basketball, reaching the semifinals in each of the past five AfroBasket tournaments and seven of the past 10. However, the program has won only one AfroBasket championship.
Koné, 24, has represented Mali since the 2019 AfroBasket tournament, including at the 2022 World Cup. The forward has played limited minutes for the Dream this season, averaging 1.7 points and 1.0 rebounds in 5.0 minutes per game.
She has been a regular contributor for Mali, averaging more than 20 minutes per game in each of the past three AfroBasket tournaments and leading the 2022 World Cup in rebounds.
Mali opens the tournament against Japan.
Isobel Borlase (Australia)
Isobel Borlase (20), of Australia, makes a pass over Sarah Michel Boury (10), of France, in a women’s basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)(Mark J. Terrill | AP)
Isobel Borlase is one of Australia’s top up-and-coming talents. The 21-year-old was drafted by the Dream in 2024 but remained in Australia until this season.
During the 2025-26 Australian season, Borlase was named MVP after averaging 22.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Her scoring average was the highest in the league in five years.
Borlase also played a key role in the Opals’ run to a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, though this will be her first FIBA World Cup.
Australia opens against Puerto Rico.
Rhyne Howard (United States)
Canada’s Paige Crozon (7) defends Rhyne Howard (10), of the United States, in the women’s 3×3 basketball pool round match during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. The United States won 18-17 in overtime. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)(Frank Franklin II | AP)
The 2026 World Cup will mark just the second time Rhyne Howard has represented the United States in senior-level 5-on-5 competition.
Her only previous senior international appearance came at the 2021 FIBA AmeriCup, where the United States won gold. Howard was not selected for the 2022 World Cup or the 2024 Olympics, though she did win bronze with the U.S. 3×3 team.
The 26-year-old has been the Dream’s top player since Atlanta selected her with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft. The three-time All-Star and 2022 Rookie of the Year has averaged 17.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 33.5 minutes per game during her WNBA career.
Angel Reese (United States)
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) reacts to scoring with teammate Rhyne Howard (10) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero)(LM Otero | AP Photo/LM Otero)
Reese has made her presence known since arriving in Atlanta this year. She’s set multiple records this year with plenty of games to go, including single-season rebounds and triple doubles, and most rebounds in a single game.
The World Cup will be Reese’s first time representing the United States since the 2023 AmeriCup. She was not selected for the U.S. roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The United States opens the tournament against China.
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