Chinese women's basketball team faced unexpected setbacks before 2026 World Cup, with key players sidelined, but remaining core members fought hard against top-ranked USA despite the loss.
Li Yueru lost her passport and will definitely miss the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup. Four of her teammates had already returned home early, while Liu Yutong, despite a long-standing knee injury, stayed with the team until the very end but ultimately couldn’t make it to the start of the tournament and returned home ahead of schedule.
During the
team’s intensive training period, which lasted nearly half a year, everyone spent almost the entire day at the gym. Many had seen the lights in the gym at 5 a.m. If someone sprained an ankle during practice, they’d apply ice for half an hour and then return to the court. Right up until the pre-game hours, they’d gather to fine-tune their lineup until late into the night—only to face a series of unexpected setbacks at the very last moment.The issue with the lost
passports arose while the competition materials were being mailed to the United States; despite repeated investigations into the relevant processes, the passports’ whereabouts remained unknown. In addition to Li Yueru, Zhong Jiali, Li Yuqin, and Deng Yuting also had to return home at the same time due to documentation issues and were unable to travel with the team to compete in this tournament.
Fortunately, the final 12 players who remained on the roster were the core group selected and honed through multiple rounds of tryouts and team chemistry building, and each of them was determined to fight hard on the court to achieve results.
With the team missing both its key interior player and Wang Siyu, they faced the world’s No. 1-ranked U.S. team in their first group-stage match.
Yet none of the players on the court backed down or lost heart; every one of them gritted their teeth and charged onto the court, fighting until the final buzzer sounded.
In the end, the team lost. Given the obvious gap in strength between the two sides, compounded by the impact of last-minute player absences, this result was to be expected. They lost with dignity—there was nothing shameful about it.
From the start of training camp,
these young women spent most of their time at the gym, cutting back on their rest time again and again, practicing tactical moves until their bodies were stiff. The lights in the gym at 5 a.m. were a common sight during their training camp,It’s not uncommon on the team for players to return to the court immediately after icing a sprained ankle. Even the day before a match, they’d be poring over video of the new lineup until the wee hours of the night; their bloodshot eyes would move anyone to pity.
No one has failed to live up to the honor of wearing the national team jersey. But the players who didn’t make it onto the World Cup court also endured more than half a year of grueling training and gave their all—their sacrifices should not be easily overlooked.
If you, too, feel for these young women who have given their all, why not show them a little more appreciation? Remember just how difficult their journey has been, and don’t let any of their genuine hard work go to waste.
