Team USA begins the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup with Caitlin Clark listed outside the starting lineup for its opening game against China in Berlin. Multiple reports state that Clark plays off the bench rather than starting.
The change is attributed to the head coach’s approach to the starting five. Yahoo Sports and Fox News both report that Kara Lawson selects Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young among the starters, while Clark is not included in the opening unit. The sources frame the decision as a coaching choice that keeps Clark in a reserve role at the start of the tournament opener.
Both outlets note that the U.S. roster features major WNBA stars, but that Clark’s role differs specifically for the first game. Neither report indicates that Clark is injured or unavailable for the matchup; the emphasis is on her placement in the rotation for this particular contest.
