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The United States came back from a 14-point deficit to beat France 97-79 in the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup final on Sunday, pulling away after halftime to secure their fifth consecutive title and a record-extending 12th overall championship.
Breanna Stewart led the Americans with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Jackie Young finished with 18 points, six rebounds and five assists as the United States turned a two-point halftime deficit into a comfortable victory.
France controlled much of the first half and repeatedly answered American scoring runs, finishing the opening quarter ahead 20-17 before pushing their advantage into double figures early in the second.
An extended French run eventually opened up a game-high 14-point lead at 31-17, forcing the United States to regroup.
The Americans gradually worked their way back into contention, cutting down the deficit before halftime, although France still went into the break with a narrow 45-43 advantage.
Gabby Williams was central to France's strong opening half, scoring 16 points before the interval.
The balance of the game shifted immediately after halftime as the United States opened the third quarter with nine unanswered points to move ahead 52-45.
France called a timeout, but it could not slow down the American momentum. The United States outscored France 30-12 during the quarter and carried a 73-57 advantage into the final period.
The Americans then opened the fourth quarter with another strong run, stretching the score to 82-59 and putting the game firmly under their control.
France managed to bring the deficit back to 14 points late in the game, but the United States held on comfortably and closed out an 18-point victory.
Stewart finished with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Young added an all-around contribution of 18 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Dominique Malonga led France with 21 points. Williams, who had scored 16 in the first half, was held to only four more after the break and finished with 20.
The victory sealed a fifth consecutive Women's Basketball World Cup championship for the United States and extended their all-time record to 12 titles.
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