Opals chase "big" statement in Berlin

While just five of the 12 Australian Opals heading to the FIBA World Cup in Berlin have ever represented the nation at a major tournament, and only three have been to a World Cup before, Head Coach Sandy Brondello expects the squad to make a "big" statement at this year's event.

Though the side does look very different to how it has in the past, Brondello and the Opals will head to the tournament with a point to prove.

"That's the goal, just to get out there and show them what the Opals are about, building on what we did in March," Brondello said.

"We don't have much preparation, but we've been together for a longer campaign.

"These girls, they bring so much [energy], and it's been good; it feels like we sort of bring Australia with us to these tournaments."

Six of the seven major international tournament debutants come out of WNBL sides, with Ally Wilson, Alex Fowler, Isabelle Bourne, Miela Sowah, Steph Reid, and Zitina Aokuso joining Chloe Bibby on debut.

"I know we have some new players too, but we wanna be a tough defensive team, and we wanna play fast down the other end, but making sure that we're playing the ball, playing the game in the right way and player movement too."

With Brondello being forced to make some difficult changes to the squad, as Sami Whitcomb was ruled out last week due to injury and mainstay Cayla George stood aside following her pregnancy announcement, the inclusion of these debutants has been labelled as an "exciting" chance for a new crop to prove themselves.

"Players retire or, obviously, have babies, and it's an opportunity for to players to step in," she said.

"The seven newcomers that we have here have earned their right to be here in the Opals uniform.

"We expect them just to bring why they've made the Opals team and to bring the strengths that they've shown, not just this year, but in the years before."

Read more > > "This is what you play for": Aokuso

Australian Opals' 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cupsquad:

- Zitina Aokuso (Adelaide Lightning)
- Chloe Bibby (Minnesota Lynx/WNBA)
- Isobel Borlase (Bendigo Spirit and Atlanta Dream/WNBA)
- Isobelle Bourne (Sydney Flames)
- Alex Fowler (Townsville Fire)
- Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm/WNBA)
- Jade Melbourne (Bendigo Spirit and Seattle Storm/WNBA)
- Steph Reid (Tasmania Jewels)
- Alanna Smith (Dallas Wings/WNBA)
- Miela Sowah (Townsville Fire and Golden State Valkyries/WNBA)
- Steph Talbot (Adelaide Lightning and Las Vegas Aces/WNBA)
- Ally Wilson (Sydney Flames)

Australian Opals' 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cupschedule:

- Australia v Puerto Rico - Friday, September 4 -7.30pm AEST
- Australia v Türkiye - Sunday, September 6 - 7.30pm AEST
- Australia v Belgium - Monday, September 7 - 7.30pm AEST