France’s 111-56 blowout win over Nigeria to finish off their group play was a statement victory, with Gabby Williams leading the charge on the offensive end of the floor.
Comparing France’s continued dominance to how much Team USA struggled against Italy last night, Team USA fans expressed worry about their chances going forward.
Team USA Fans Share Worries After France’s Dominant Win
France broke the record for the most threes made in a women’s World Cup game, hitting 22 three-pointers. Williams, who led France in scoring with 25 points, also set an individual record, becoming the first French player to hit 6 three-pointers at a World Cup game.
The game’s tone was set from the get-go, with France taking a 39-point lead at the break. Comparing this to the USA’s performance against Italy, fans shared their concerns on social media.
While Team USA did win 55-52 in the end, France’s statement win has fans believing that the reigning four-time champions could be dethroned this year.
“France easily been the best team in the tournament. USA gotta wake up man. FAST,” said one X user.
France easily been the best team in the tournament. USA gotta wake up man. FAST. https://t.co/LGpUAnjjjO
— LANI ❦ (@___lovelanii) September 7, 2026
Indiana Fever writer Robin Lundberg echoed a similar sentiment, saying, “Team USA needs to figure out the best lineups fast to stand a chance against France.”
Team USA needs to figure out the best lineups fast to stand a chance against France.
— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) September 7, 2026
Coach Lawson rolled out the same starting lineup against China and Italy: Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart.
Barring Young, the other four starters went 5-for-23 from the field against Italy and played at a slower pace than the younger talent off the bench.
One fan pointed out France’s faster-paced style of play mixed in with their youth, saying, “France has ELITE talent — young, athletic, fast, and confident two-way players with high ball IQ. This team will blow the U.S. out by an easy 40 without a serious and immediate change in philosophy.”
They went on to say, “Or they [USA] can stick to the nursing home motion offense sets they’ve been running for 20 years and Kara Lawson telling her players NOT to shoot the three.”
Team USA attempted merely 12 threes against Italy and drained one. This is a stark contrast to their play in their 94-61 blowout win over China, where they went 12-for-32 from three-point land.
France has ELITE talent — young, athletic, fast, and confident two-way players with high ball IQ.
They’re not only playing at an incredibly high level, but they have grown their OFFENSE significantly since they last faced the U.S. in the 2024 Olympics. They were just a Gabby… https://t.co/YD71198UgE
— kb 💥 (@kerrrr22) September 7, 2026
Another fan said, “This France team is probably the best collection of talent top to bottom that has ever faced USA in basketball, men or women.”
“I’m sorry USA is getting cooked by this team if changes aren’t made, and I don’t expect them to!!” said one blunt X user.
I’m sorry USA is getting cooked by this team if changes aren’t made, and I don’t expect them to!! https://t.co/COpeNb9dKw
— Michelle♈️-#CCMVP (@michelles2cool) September 7, 2026
The USA found success against China with a veteran-focused starting lineup, but much of the heavy lifting on offense was done with either a 5-out half-court offense or ‘run and gun’ pace from the team’s younger talent.
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, along with Rhyne Howard, led the team in scoring with 14 points each.
Lawson, after the close call against Italy, said, “Sometimes it’s good to be tested like this. You see where your weaknesses are, and we know exactly where we need to improve.”
It will be interesting to see if the game against Italy, combined with France’s continued dominance, will lead Lawson to switch up her defensively minded strategies and explore injecting more youth, pace, and shooting into the lineups going into US’s next game against Czechia.
