"Every possession matters": Opals ready for World Cup fight

As she heads into her third FIBA World Cup as coach, Sandy Brondello knows her toughest test awaits her side in Germany.

Not only will the Australian Opals be without key figures Sami Whitcomb (injured) and Cayla George (pregnant) in Berlin, but they will have to compete against arguably the deepest field on record.

At least 10 of the teams competing in the September 4-13 tournament feature current WNBA players, highlighting the growth of the game globally.

"The depth in the women's game globally is probably as strong as it's ever been," Brondello said to Basketball Australia.

"There are more countries capable of beating the top teams now, so you simply can't take anyone lightly. We've seen different nations develop really distinct styles and there's so much talent playing across the best leagues in the world.

"At a World Cup, every possession matters, and you have to be ready from day one. I think that competitiveness is great for our game."

The Opals head into the tournament on the back of bronze medals at the 2022 FIBA World Cup in Sydney and 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, as well as gold at last year's Asia Cup.

While the majority of her squad has been involved in that recent success, Brondello had a message to her younger players ahead of their major tournament debuts.

"[My message is to] trust yourself and know that you belong," she said.

"When I was young, I wanted to prove myself and probably worried too much about making mistakes. What I've learnt over time, and what I try to pass on to our younger players now, is that you don't have to be perfect.

"Be brave, play to your strengths and don't let the fear of making a mistake take away what makes you special."

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Australia, who are in Group C of the September 4-13 tournament in Berlin, first play Puerto Rico on September 4, before games against Türkiye and Belgium.

Australian Opals' 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup squad:

- Zitina Aokuso (Adelaide Lightning)
- Chloe Bibby (Chicago Sky/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)
- Steph Talbot (Adelaide Lightning and Las Vegas Aces/WNBA)
- Ally Wilson (Sydney Flames)

Australian Opals' 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup schedule:

- 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

Read the full story here >> Meet the masterminds shaping the Opals World Cup campaign