U.S. to Play for Gold Medal; Defeat Canada at 2026 FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup

18 July 2026

USA 86, CAN 60

The 2026 FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup gold medal game will feature the USA Basketball Women’s U17 National Team after an 86-60 triumph over Canada in the semifinals on Saturday in Brno, Czechia.

The Americans will tip the final game of the tournament on Sunday against Spain, who defeated Australia, 58-51, in the other semifinal.

The U.S. have won the gold medal in six of the seven editions of the U17 World Cup, including three consecutive (2024, 2022, 2018, 2014, 2012, 2010).

The red, white and blue have won 28 consecutive games at the U17 World Cup, dating back to 2016.

View the USA-Canada box score here.

POSTGAME NOTES

Born in the USA: It’s been Olivia Jones, Eve Long, Micah Ojo, Morghan Reckley and Ivanna Wilson Manyacka in the starting lineup the last four games. Over that span, the starters have accounted for 201 of the USA’s total 380 points, averaging 50.3 per game.

Party in the USA: Tonight marked the fifth occasion where the USA and Canada faced off at the FIBA U17 World Cup after playing a year earlier for the gold medal at the FIBA U16 AmeriCup (2024: 84-64 in U17 final / 2023: 79-59 in U16; 2022: 87-57 in U17 semifinals / 2021: 118-45 in U16; 2014: 86-45 in U17 quarterfinals / 2013: 82-48 in U16; 2010: 114-57 in U17 group play l 2009: 103-52 in U16). The Americans are 7-0 all-time against Canada in U17 action.

Kids in America: The USA have played in the semifinals at each edition of the U17 World Cup, carrying a 7-1 record. The U.S. have an average margin of victory in those seven wins of 27.9 points. Tonight’s USA 26-point victory ranks as the fourth largest margin against a semifinal opponent. (+45 in 2018 vs HUN; +30 in 2022 vs CAN; +28 in 2014 vs HUN).

Surfin’ USA: The U.S. score in waves and tonight the Americans had a two 8-0 runs in the critical second quarter to distance themselves from Canada. The runs were a part of a 16-3 sprint, which lasted 6:16 of game time. Throughout the tournament, the USA have utilized scoring spurts to put away their opponents (25-0 vs CIV; 19-0 vs MEX; 17-0 vs LAT; 14-0 vs SLO; 7-0 vs AUS).

American Girl: Long (15), Wilson Manyacka (10) and Nation Williams (10) combined for 35 points in the first half on 12-of-26 shooting. Their impact was felt in the second quarter where the USA outscored Canada 25-7, good for a 48-33 halftime advantage.