Breanna Stewart set the tone at both ends in the United States’ 97-79 win over France in Berlin, delivering 22 points and 10 rebounds as the Americans captured a fifth straight FIBA Women’s World Cup championship.
Breanna Stewart joins Sue Bird atop World Cup history
Stewart’s latest gold medal was her fourth as a member of the U.S. World Cup program, putting her level with Sue Bird for the most titles by a player in the competition’s history. The victory extended the United States’ championship streak to five consecutive tournaments.
She also collected her second World Cup MVP award after posting 12.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game across the tournament. Stewart shot 55.3% from the field, providing steady production while carrying a larger leadership role with a roster that included World Cup newcomers.
“I take pride in being great on a consistent basis,” Stewart said. “That means being there in the biggest moments, the smaller ones and everything between them. I have an unrealistic belief in myself.”
U.S. coach Kara Lawson framed Stewart’s run as the defining thread of the national team’s modern era.
“She is USA Basketball,” Lawson said. “When you look at the past 15 years, it’s Stewie. We’re fortunate to be part of her era.”
A veteran voice in a tight tournament
Stewart’s impact was not limited to the final box score. Caitlin Clark, appearing in her first World Cup, pointed to Stewart’s calm after the United States survived Italy by three points earlier in the tournament.
Clark said Stewart went into the weight room afterward to settle younger players who had been shaken by how close the game became. Stewart’s message: close finishes are part of international basketball, and the group should not read a tight score as failure.
“She told us that this is what it looks like and not to be intimidated by it,” Clark said. “The games will be close, but that doesn’t mean you should feel defeated. It was something we needed to hear. These games are hard.”
Clark called Stewart a dependable winner and said her experience made the group more comfortable in pressure situations.
“Stewie was an incredible leader for us throughout this process,” Clark said. “She’s a winner. That’s what she does. She has played in so many moments like these, and having someone like that with you is comforting.”
A résumé built on championship stages
The World Cup MVP adds to a collection that already includes three Olympic gold medals, two WNBA championships and four NCAA titles. Stewart was named the Most Outstanding Player in each of her four NCAA championship runs.
Her leadership model came from previous U.S. standards-setters, including Bird and Diana Taurasi. In Berlin, Stewart moved alongside Bird in the World Cup record book while helping another American roster navigate the pressure that comes with defending a global title.
SEO Title: Breanna Stewart wins World Cup MVP as USA beats France for fifth straight title
SEO Description: Breanna Stewart scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the United States’ 97-79 World Cup final win over France, earning her second tournament MVP award.
