The USA vs. China game in the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup is set to tip off at 8:15 a.m. ET on Friday, September 4. Team USA enters its first game of the tournament as the overwhelming favorites to win, according to PrizePicks.
After the WNBA went on a break on Aug. 31, the women's FIBA World Cup is set to get underway on Friday morning in Berlin, as 16 teams compete for the gold medal in Berlin. The USA have won four consecutive FIBA World Cup titles and will look to make it five over the next two weeks, as the favorites to win the tournament.
The two countries have met nine times in the competition's history, with the USA winning eight of those matchups. China enters Friday's game as heavy underdogs, returning a 22.22x payout to win via PrizePicks.
Below, we'll break down our USA vs. China prediction and picks for Friday's FIBA World Cup game in the first game for both teams, including key player picks for PrizePicks.
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USA vs. China Prediction for FIBA World Cup – Friday, September 4
The USA Women's National Team opens the 2026 FIBA World Cup against China in a rematch of the 2022 Gold Medal Game. The USA won that meeting, marking their fourth consecutive first-place finish in the competition.
Team USA has now won 30 straight FIBA World Cup games since a semifinal defeat back in 2006.
Coach Kara Lawson's squad will look to extend that streak when they take the floor at Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin on Friday morning.
This year's Team USA roster features several exciting new faces, including superstars Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, and Angel Reese. Reigning FIBA World Cup MVP A'ja Wilson was forced to withdraw due to injury, as was Phoenix Mercury star Kelsey Plum.
Even with those absences, Team USA is still considered the heavy favorite to win a fifth consecutive FIBA World Cup title. The squad carries a relatively young average age of 26.8 but still features several experienced players who have thrived in this competition before. 2018 FIBA World Cup MVP Breanna Stewart is set to compete in her fourth World Cup, while Phoenix Mercury star Kahleah Copper joins her for a second appearance.
Team USA should have little trouble making a strong statement in their opener against a Chinese side they know well. Team USA will look to make it nine straight victories over China in their opening FIBA World Cup game.
USA vs. China Payouts – Friday, September 4
Here are the full payouts for the USA vs. China game on PrizePicks. USA to win outright is not currently offered, as they are heavy favorite to win outright.
Make your USA vs. China prediction for the FIBA World Cup on PrizePicks
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
USA vs. China Prediction to Win – 9/4/26
Here are the key game stats and trends behind our USA vs. China prediction on the winner for Friday, September 4.
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- The USA have won an astounding 66 consecutive games across both FIBA and Olympic competition heading into Friday's matchup.
- China and the USA met twice at the 2022 FIBA World Cup, with the Americans winning both by an average margin of 18 points.
- Team USA dominated FIBA qualifying back in March, going 5-0 with an average margin of victory of 42.0 points.
- China served as a host nation during FIBA qualifying, going 4-1 and scoring 80+ points in each of their four victories.
- Opponents averaged 73.8 PPG against China during FIBA qualifying in March. Team USA averaged 95.8 PPG across their five qualifying games.
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USA vs. China Player Picks, FIBA World Cup Stats for PrizePicks – 9/4/26
While picks on the game are sparse, with USA as such a large favorite, players are an easy way to get in on the Friday morning action in USA vs. China.
Here are the top USA vs. China picks to target on PrizePicks for Friday, September 4. Today's FIBA World Cup picks for PrizePicks include Caitlin Clark and Han Xu.
USA G Caitlin Clark vs. China Projection: 14.5 Points
- Clark arrives at her first FIBA World Cup in the midst of a career-best WNBA season, averaging 22.5 PPG — third-highest in the league.
- The 24-year-old was named MVP of FIBA qualifying, averaging 11.6 PPG and 6.4 assists per game in a team-high 21.2 minutes per contest.
- Clark previously competed in the U19 FIBA World Cup, averaging 14.3 PPG back in 2021.
- Her 58 points across five qualifying games led Team USA. She averaged 6.8 field goal attempts per game and shot 52.9% during that stretch.
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China C Han Xu vs. USA Projection: 21.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- Xu has averaged 19 combined points + rebounds + assists across three career games against Team USA.
- She enters the FIBA World Cup off a season-high 19-point performance in just 17 minutes against the Chicago Sky and is averaging 9.7 PRA on the season.
- Xu averaged 19.6 in those categories across China's five FIBA qualifying games in March, surpassing 21.5 in just two of those five outings.
- She averaged 21.3 combined PRA across eight games during China's silver medal run at the 2022 FIBA World Cup.
Add Han Xu to your PrizePicks lineup now
Make USA vs. China FIBA World Cup Picks on PrizePicks
China will look to pull off one of the biggest upsets in FIBA World Cup history when they open the 2026 tournament against the USA on Friday morning. Team USA will look to claim their 67th straight win to start its run to a fifth consecutive gold medal in the competition, a streak dating back to 2010.
Don’t wait until tip-off at 8:15 a.m. ET — make your USA vs. China picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.
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