Lost passport delivers crushing World Cup blow before China faces Team USA

Lost passport delivers crushing World Cup blow before China faces Team USA originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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China’s preparations for its FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup opener against Team USA have been disrupted by an unusual and costly problem. Dallas Wings center Li Yueru will miss the tournament after her passport was lost in the mail, leaving her unable to travel from the United States to Berlin.

Li disclosed the situation on social media, explaining that attempts to locate the passport or secure the necessary documentation in time had been unsuccessful.

“Unfortunately, my passport was lost in the mail, which means I won’t be able to participate in this World Cup,” Li wrote. “We tried everything we could, but ultimately we couldn’t resolve the issue.”

The timing could hardly be worse for China. Li was expected to be one of the team’s most important players when it opens the tournament against the United States on Friday.

China loses its leading interior weapon

Li, 27, has played 114 career WNBA games across stops with the Chicago Sky, Los Angeles Sparks, Seattle Storm and Dallas Wings.

Dallas Wings Center Li Yueru announced on social media that she will miss the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin after her passport was lost in the mail. pic.twitter.com/gobIvmGpD4

— espnW (@espnW) September 2, 2026

Her WNBA statistics do not fully reflect her importance in international competition. The 6-foot-7 center averaged 17.7 points and 11 rebounds for China at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her size, rebounding and interior scoring would have given China a proven presence against a deep American frontcourt.

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Instead, China must alter its rotation only days before facing the tournament favorite.

The matchup was already daunting. Team USA is seeking its fifth consecutive World Cup championship and enters the event with a roster featuring Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Paige Bueckers, Aliyah Boston, Angel Reese, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, Rhyne Howard and Jackie Young.

Li’s absence removes one of China’s best opportunities to create a matchup advantage near the basket. It is also a particularly heartbreaking setback because the issue has nothing to do with an injury, performance or a coaching decision. Li was physically prepared to represent her country but was prevented from traveling by a misplaced document.

The World Cup runs from Sept. 4 through Sept. 13 in Berlin. The field has expanded to 16 teams, with games being played at Berlin Arena and Max-Schmeling-Halle.

China can still advance from its group, but the margin for error just became much smaller. For Team USA, Friday’s opener now comes against an opponent missing the player best equipped to challenge the Americans inside.

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