US Coach Kara Lawson opens up on importance of winning World Cup final for country on 9/11 anniversary weekend
USA Women’s Basketball Secures Spot in FIBA World Cup Final, Eyes 12th Title
Berlin – A 76‑66 victory over Spain on Saturday propelled the U.S. women’s national team into the FIBA Women’s World Cup final in Paris, setting the stage for a rematch with France, the host nation’s opponent in the other semifinal.
The win came just one day after the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, a fact that coach Kara Lawson said gave the triumph an extra layer of emotional significance. “It would mean a ton to win a World Cup for our country,” Lawson told reporters after the game, adding that the U.S. team “is proud to represent the red, white and blue.”
A Road to the Final
Spain entered the semifinal tied at 58 points in the third quarter. The Americans held them to only eight points in the fourth period, riding a 12‑2 run that sealed the 76‑66 finish. Team captain Breanna Stewart led the way with 16 points, while Kahleah Copper added 13 and Jackie Young finished with 12. The win extended the U.S. winning streak in World Cup play to 35 consecutive games—a record that began with their 2006 semifinal defeat of Russia and has never been broken since.
France, after an 86‑64 victory over host Germany, entered the final undefeated and was ranked number one by FIBA following the group stage. The match will be a rematch of the 2024 Olympic gold‑medal game in Paris, where the U.S. edged France 67‑66 after Gabby Williams hit a controversial shot in the final seconds.
USA Basketball is targeting its fifth consecutive World Cup title and its 12th overall championship. France, meanwhile, will be playing in its first World Cup final.
Lawson’s Legacy and Vision
Kara Lawson has been with U.S. Basketball since her teenage years. She earned an Olympic gold medal as a player in Beijing 2008 and later served as head coach of the first U.S. women’s 3‑x‑3 Olympic gold team in Tokyo 2020. Lawson was an assistant coach on the 2024 Paris Olympic gold‑medal team and was named head coach of the senior women’s national team in 2025, a role that will lead the squad to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“We’re proud to be Americans, and we’re proud to represent USA,” Lawson said. “I think unity is not just exclusive to the women’s basketball community; it’s unity for our country as well. I think our team hopefully is creating unity across our country.”
The 9/11 anniversary added a somber tone to the weekend. The U.S. celebrated the milestone with remembrance ceremonies nationwide. Lawson said the anniversary was a “powerful memory” that stays with her and the team “beyond one day.”
Faith and Team Spirit
Team USA guard Paige Bueckers, a college standout known for openly sharing her Christian faith, said the relationship has been a steady source of strength throughout the tournament. “My faith has always been important to me. It’s carried me through life. It’s been my rock, my foundation,” Bueckers told reporters. “So, I take that with me wherever I go.”
Bueckers’ faith has been a topic of discussion among fans and commentators, but she says it remains a personal anchor rather than a public statement.
Looking Ahead
With France’s undefeated record and the memory of a historic Olympic victory hanging in the balance, the U.S. team heads into the final with confidence and a sense of purpose. The game, set for Sunday in Paris, promises to be a high‑stakes contest for both nations.
As the U.S. squad prepares to face France, coach Lawson emphasized the broader impact of the sport. “It’s something that was, you know, a powerful memory, and something that is on our minds, certainly on that day, but really other days as well,” she said. “It would mean a ton to win a World Cup for our country.”
The U.S. now has one more game to decide whether it can add a 12th world title to its impressive record and whether its journey will resonate beyond the basketball court.
