Dallas Wings center Li Yueru will not play for China at the 2026 FIBA World Cup after her passport is lost, according to multiple outlets. Li is not listed to feature for China as a result of the documentation problem.
Yahoo Sports and The Athletic report that Li says the passport was lost in the mail, preventing her from traveling and participating. One report notes that China is scheduled to play Team USA on Friday, highlighting that Li’s absence comes as the tournament matchups begin.
Across sources, the core details are consistent: Li Yueru’s status changes from expected availability to withdrawal because she cannot secure a valid passport in time. The outlets focus on the same cause—lost passport—while emphasizing different contextual points, such as her social-media statement and the timing relative to China’s game against the United States.
