USA Win Seventh FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup Gold Medal; Defeat Spain 82-73 in Final

19 July 2026

USA 82, ESP 73

The 2026 USA Basketball Women’s U17 National Team stand atop the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup podium once again as the red, white and blue won the gold medal by defeating Spain 82-73 in the tournament’s final on Sunday in Brno, Czechia.

The U.S. have won the gold medal in seven of the eight editions of the U17 World Cup. Additionally, The Americans are winners of 29 consecutive games at the competition, dating back to 2016.

In the bronze medal game, Australia defeated Canada 64-57.

View the USA-Spain box score here.

POSTGAME NOTES

I Got Chills: It was back-to-back summers of MVP honors for Ivanna Wilson Manyacka. She earned the accolade for the 2026 U17 World Cup by averaging 12.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.6 steals in 19.3 minutes per game. She joins JuJu Watkins (U16 in 2021, U17 in 2022) and Jerzy Robinson (U17 in 2024, U16 in 2023) as players to win MVP in U17 and U16 back-to-back years.

Additionally, Wilson Manyacka now has three gold medals with USA Basketball. The first coming at the 2024 U17 World Cup, then at the 2025 U16 AmeriCup and tonight.

Other award honorees from the tournament include the All-Star Five: Wilson Manyacka, Madison Ryan (AUS), Frances Vollett (CAN), Isabel Hernandez (ESP) and Miya Takeuchi (JPN).

They’re Multiplyin’: Steve Gomez joins an accomplished list of coaches to win a U17 gold (2026) one-year removed from being at the helm for a gold-medal winning U16 squad (2025). Others to accomplish the feat include Sue Phillips (twice: U17 in 2022, U16 in 2021; U17 in 2014, U16 in 2013), Carla Berube (U17 in 2018, U16 in 2017), Jill Rankin (U17 in 2012, U16 in 2011) and Barbara Nelson (U17 in 2010, U16 in 2009).

And I’m Losing Control: The Americans prioritized crashing the glass all week long. The U.S. averaged 10.9 offensive rebounds per game, which resulted in second chance baskets. The U.S. averaged 21.6 second chance points per game with four games of at least 20 points coming on extra possessions (30 vs CIV, 25 vs LAT, 20 vs MEX, 20 vs CAN).

Cause The Power You’re Supplying: The USA led all-teams at the U17 World Cup in several key offensive statistical categories. The U.S. led the way with 93.3 points per game (second: ESP, 73.6), 44.5% field goal percentage (second: AUS, 40.2%) and 23.0 assists per game (second: ESP, 20.6).

It’s Electrifyin’: Tonight marked the fourth final between the USA and Spain for U17 gold. Previous matchups saw final scores of 84-62 (2022), 77-75 (2014) and 75-62 (2012). The Americans have also faced France (92-40 in 2018, 97-62 in 2010) and Canada (84-64 in 2024) for the World Cup title.

You’re The One That I Want: Over eight editions of the U17 World Cup, the Americans have stood atop the podium seven times (2026, 2024, 2022, 2018, 2014, 2012, 2010), including four consecutive. The USA is the only nation to medal at each U17 World Cup with the next closest being Spain (5 medals: 4 silvers, 1 bronze).