USA Women's Basketball Schedule 2026: Caitlin Clark & Team USA Play Italy TODAY — Full FIBA World Cup Qualifying Schedule
Team USA women's basketball is in the middle of the biggest week in years. Caitlin Clark is making her long-awaited return to competition after eight months away — and today, Saturday March 14, Team USA faces Italy in their third qualifying game in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Here is the full schedule, how to watch, and everything you need to know.
USA vs Italy TODAY: 5:00 PM ET at FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament
USA vs Italy tips off Saturday, March 14 at 5:00 PM ET on TruTV and HBO Max, live from San Juan, Puerto Rico. This is Caitlin Clark's third game back after eight months away from basketball — the entire WNBA season — and the country's eyes are on every minute she plays.
Full USA Women's Basketball Schedule: FIBA World Cup Qualifying
Here is Team USA's complete five-game schedule at the FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico:
| Game | Date | Time ET | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA vs Senegal | Wed March 11 | 5:00 PM | TruTV / HBO Max ✅ |
| USA vs Puerto Rico | Thu March 12 | 8:00 PM | TruTV / HBO Max ✅ |
| USA vs Italy | Sat March 14 | 5:00 PM | TruTV / HBO Max ? LIVE |
| USA vs New Zealand | Sun March 15 | 2:00 PM | TruTV / HBO Max |
| USA vs Spain | Tue March 17 | 3:00 PM | TNT / HBO Max |
Caitlin Clark's Return: What She Has Said
Clark had not played in a competitive game since July 15, 2025, when she strained her right groin playing for the Indiana Fever against the Connecticut Sun — her fourth separate muscle injury of the 2025 WNBA season. After being ruled out for the remainder of the season in September, she described finding herself again at a December training camp, acknowledging she would be a little rusty but expressing she was really excited to be back.
Before the tournament began, Clark said: "I haven't played basketball in eight months, so getting to do it at this level for my first time back — there's no better way than to get tossed out into the fire and figure it out. But I felt really good through practice, so more than anything just really excited."
Team USA Roster: Clark, Bueckers, Reese and Veteran Stars Together
Team USA's roster features established Olympic gold medalists Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young from the Paris 2024 championship team, alongside rising stars Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese — all making their senior national team debuts at this tournament.
Aliyah Boston and Sonia Citron were originally named to the roster but both withdrew with injuries suffered during the 2026 Unrivaled season. Monique Billings and Rae Burrell were named as replacements.
Head Coach Kara Lawson and What This Tournament Means
The United States has already secured its place at the FIBA Women's World Cup after winning the FIBA Women's AmeriCup in 2025, joining hosts Germany and other qualified nations. That means their five-game qualifying tournament is focused on preparation and evaluation rather than a must-qualify mission. How the team performs under new head coach Kara Lawson — the Duke women's basketball coach — will be a key storyline throughout the week.
The FIBA Women's World Cup takes place September 4 through 13, 2026 in Berlin, Germany. Today's USA vs Italy game tips at 5:00 PM ET on TruTV with streaming on HBO Max.
