Italy vs. USA Prediction, Picks for FIBA World Cup – Sunday, September 6

The Italy vs. USA game is set to tip off at 2:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 6, with the USA entering as 30.5-point favorites on the spread, according to PrizePicks.

The USA (1-0) is back in action following a dominant performance on Friday morning, comfortably defeating China 94-61 as it begins its title defense in Group D.

Italy (1-0) is next up, which took care of business against Czechia in its opener on Friday afternoon. Friday’s game marked Italy’s first FIBA World Cup game in 32 years.

Below, we'll break down our Italy vs. USA prediction and picks for Sunday's FIBA World Cup game in the second tournament game for both teams, including the spread and key player picks for PrizePicks.

Make your Italy vs. USA prediction on PrizePicks now!

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Italy vs. USA Prediction for FIBA World Cup – Sunday, September 6

After a slow start on Friday, Italy defeated Czechia by winning the final three quarters to claim its first win of the competition.

The European side qualified alongside the USA at the San Juan, Puerto Rico, qualifiers back in March, winning four of its five games. Italy's only loss in FIBA qualifying came against the USA in a 93-59 blowout.

Kara Lawson's squad will look to replicate that performance when Team USA faces Italy again on Sunday afternoon. The Americans got off to a strong start against China and appear more than capable of winning a fifth consecutive gold medal. Team USA's offense was led by G Paige Bueckers, G Caitlin Clark, and G Rhyne Howard, who all scored 14 points apiece in the opener.

Italy held Czechia to just 38.0% from the field. Through two days of competition, Italy currently ranks second in the tournament with a 75.8 defensive rating.

The Italians showcased their defensive identity in both FIBA qualifying and EuroBasket, stifling some of Europe's best teams on the way to a bronze medal and holding opponents 11.5 points per game below their average across both competitions.

Even with how impressive Italy has been defensively, that approach appeared to have little effect when these teams met back in March. Team USA scored an efficient 93 points, shooting 60.7% from the field and 52.4% on 3-pointers.

The gap in star power is simply too significant for most teams to bridge, and that is likely the case once again for Italy later today. 

Italy vs. USA Payouts – Sunday, September 6

Here are the full payouts for the Italy vs. USA game on PrizePicks. USA to win outright is not currently offered, as it is a decisive 30.5-point favorite on the spread.

Make your Italy vs. USA prediction on spread or over/under on PrizePicks.

PrizePicks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.

FIBA World Cup: Italy vs. USA Prediction Against the Spread – 9/6/26

Here are the key game stats and trends behind our Italy vs. USA prediction on the spread in the FIBA World Cup on Sunday, September 6.

• These teams have met twice in FIBA World Cup history, with Italy winning back in 1967 before the USA claimed victory in 1979.
• The USA has won both meetings against Italy this century, once in 2015 and most recently back in March, when Lawson's squad won by 34 points.
• Following Friday's win, the USA has now won 67 consecutive games across the Olympics and FIBA.
• Italy is 8-2 in its last 10 games across all competitions and held opponents to just 66.0 PPG across five pre-tournament friendlies heading into FIBA.
• The USA held Italy to under 40.0% shooting from both 2- and 3-point range in the meeting back in March.

Lock in your Italy vs. USA prediction on PrizePicks now!

Italy vs. USA Player Picks, FIBA World Cup Stats for PrizePicks – 9/6/26

While picks on the game are sparse, with the USA as such a large favorite, players are an easy way to get in on Sunday afternoon's action on PrizePicks.

Here are the top Italy vs. USA picks to target on PrizePicks for Sunday, September 6. Today's FIBA World Cup picks for PrizePicks include Cecilia Zandalasini and Caitlin Clark.

Italy SF Cecilia Zandalasini vs. USA: 15 Points

• Zandalasini has emerged as Italy's primary offensive option through EuroBasket and FIBA qualifying. The Golden State Valkyries forward scored 19 points in Italy's opener on Friday.
• The 30-year-old led Italy with 13.8 PPG during qualifying but managed just 6 points in the loss to the USA.
• Her 20 shot attempts in Friday's opener led the team. The next-closest player was G Matilde Villa with 14, and the two combined for just under 54.0% of Italy's total attempts.
• The Valkyries' starting forward is averaging 8.8 PPG in the WNBA this season but scored 20 points in her final game before departing for FIBA duty.

Add Cecilia Zandalasini to your PrizePicks lineup now.

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USA G Caitlin Clark vs. Italy: 26 Pts + Rebs + Asts

• Clark picked up right where she left off with a standout performance in her FIBA World Cup debut, finishing with 28 combined points, rebounds, and assists in just 25 minutes off the bench.
• The 24-year-old led Team USA in both points and assists, paired with a team-high +30 in plus/minus.
• The WNBA MVP candidate has carried her elite all-around play overseas. Clark averages 34.8 combined points, rebounds, and assists per game in the WNBA this season, ranking in the top three in both scoring and assist numbers.
• Clark had just 18 combined points, rebounds, and assists when the USA defeated Italy back in March. She shot 80.0% from the field in that game but committed a team-high 5 turnovers.

Add Caitlin Clark to your PrizePicks lineup now.

Make Italy vs. USA FIBA World Cup Picks on PrizePicks

Despite Italy's impressive form heading into Sunday's game, the European side could be outmatched against the juggernaut that is Team USA. The reigning gold medalists will look to pick up another dominant victory and move to 2-0 at the 2026 FIBA World Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Don’t wait until tip-off at 2:45 p.m. ET — make your Italy vs. USA picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.

Pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on game winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 36 states.

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