Sports 15 sources · over 3 days Latest coverage 12 Sept 2026, 10:41 pm UTC

France Defeats Germany to Reach First-Ever Women's Basketball World Cup Final

France's women's basketball team has made history by reaching their first World Cup final after a dominant semifinal win over Germany in Berlin.

By Aisha Karimi · First published 12 Sept 2026 · Chapter 2 of 2

Earlier: France Defeats Germany to Reach First Women's Basketball World Cup Final

In brief

  1. France beat Germany 86-64 in the Women's Basketball World Cup semifinal, securing a place in their first final.
  2. Gabby Williams led France with 22 points and played a decisive role in the team's victory.
  3. Germany, the tournament host, saw their run end but will play for the bronze medal.
  4. France has already guaranteed their first World Cup medal in 73 years, dating back to 1953.
  5. France will face Team USA in the championship game after the Americans defeated Spain in the other semifinal.
France Defeats Germany to Reach First-Ever Women's Basketball World Cup Final
Source: © Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP

Timeline · 5 moments

5 moments Open the full timeline →

Team USA routs Hungary to reach semifinals

CBS Sports ↗

Germany prepares to face France in semifinals

L'Équipe ↗

France defeats Germany to make first World Cup final

Franceinfo ↗

Gabby Williams leads France to historic win

L'Équipe ↗

Team USA beats Spain to set up final with France

CBS Sports ↗

How it started

The Women's Basketball World Cup brought together top teams from around the world, with France and Germany both entering the tournament with high hopes. France started the competition strongly, quickly establishing themselves as a major contender. Germany, the host nation, relied on a mix of experienced WNBA players and home support to fuel their progress.

As both teams advanced through the early rounds, anticipation grew for their potential clash. Their performances set the stage for a memorable semifinal showdown in Berlin.

How it unfolded

On September 12, 2026, France and Germany met in the World Cup semifinals in Berlin. France delivered a commanding performance, defeating Germany 86-64 to secure a spot in their first-ever World Cup final, according to Franceinfo and Le Monde.

Gabby Williams was the standout player for France, scoring 22 points and leading the team on both ends of the court, as highlighted by L'Équipe and Arab News. The French team maintained control throughout the game, capitalizing on turnovers and playing strong defense.

Germany fought hard in front of their home crowd but struggled with mistakes and could not match France's intensity, as reported by DIE WELT and DER SPIEGEL. Despite the loss, Germany's run to the semifinals was seen as a significant achievement for their program.

Meanwhile, Team USA advanced to the final by defeating Spain 76-66 in the other semifinal, setting up a rematch of the 2024 Olympic final, according to CBS Sports and Al Jazeera.

Where it stands

France has reached the Women's Basketball World Cup final for the first time in history and is guaranteed at least a silver medal. The team will now face Team USA in the championship game, while Germany will compete for the bronze medal. The final is scheduled to take place in Berlin, with both France and the United States seeking to claim the gold.

What to watch

The key question is whether France can overcome Team USA, the defending champions, in the final. This matchup will also be a rematch of the 2024 Olympic final, adding extra significance to the contest. Fans will be watching to see if France can secure their first world title or if the United States will extend their dominance.

Written from 15 outlets' coverage of this story. Every timeline entry links to the original report.

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