After 13 games in the 2025 season, Caitlin Clark had been on the sidelines, nursing her injury and supporting her team. While the player spoke about the painful experience of watching games instead of playing in them, she worked hard to get back to full fitness for the upcoming events and challenges.
One of those on schedule was the FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Clark already made her intentions clear about Team USA basketball during her exit interview, and now she has earned her place in the national side.
Caitlin Clark Celebrates Team USA Selection
Earlier in December, CC was part of the training camp hosting multiple young stars for the preparations of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers. The Managing Director of the USA Women’s National Team, Sue Bird, praised Clark’s maturity and team engagement , which was an encouraging sign for the player aiming for her spot in the team.
As the authorities announced the team members’ names, the Indiana Fever lauded its three representatives, Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Steohanie White, with a special post on social media. Clark also shared the post on her Instagram story, sharing her excitement about the selection.
she’s back ❤️🔥
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) February 11, 2026
Caitlin Clark will compete with @usabasketball in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/vBLvWfqkCZ
Along with AB and CC, many WNBA stars made the cut in Team USA for the World Cup qualifiers. Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Dearica Hamby, Rhyne Howard, Angel Reese, Jackie Young, Kiki Iriafen, and Kelsey Plum join Clark in the team with the qualifying games starting from March 11.
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Though an analyst predicts Clark’s starting role on Team USA, the star needs to gain complete fitness and endurance to get back to her 100% on the floor. More importantly, the playmaker will be super busy with a packed schedule ahead of her.
Caitlin Clark With Busiest 2026 Year
Fans were disappointed to see the former Iowa star playing in limited games in the 2025 season, and now, with the long off-season, they hoped for her early return. While FIBA qualification games give them a chance to watch CC in action again, the player has the busiest schedule in the league.
She will be part of the WC qualifier games from March 11 to March 17, probably playing in all five games. The Fever team will start their campaign from April 23 with a preseason game against the New York Liberty and have their first regular season game on May 9.
Amid the 44-game season, Clark would be part of the FIBA World Cup competition starting from August 31 to September 16. So Clark will be part of a minimum of 57 games to a maximum of 72 games in the space of seven months.