Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark says she’d be willing to play a WNBA game overseas next season after returning from the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, where Team USA won its fifth straight title.
“I think we’re just scratching the surface of where we can go globally,” Clark told reporters following the Fever’s 103-85 win over the Toronto Tempo on Friday. “I wouldn’t be surprised if next year you see a game played overseas of some sort. I would sign up for that. I think it’d be really good to help expand the WNBA, and I’m looking forward to that.”
The WNBA has made no formal announcement about staging a game in Europe next season, so Clark’s remarks reflect her own expectation rather than a confirmed league plan.
Clark played in her first major international tournament this month, helping the United States beat France 97-79 in the World Cup final in Berlin on Sunday. It was also her first extended stretch playing on European soil.
“That was the first time I’ve really played in Europe, and obviously basketball is really loved in Europe,” Clark said. “It was fun to get to play in front of those fans.”
She said she came away impressed by the intensity international players bring when representing their home countries.
“I think one of the biggest things I took away is how much pride those girls play with, especially the ones that are in the WNBA going to play for their home country. It means so much to them. I think that’s really cool, and they’ve done so much to help grow the game in their specific countries.”
A League Going Global
The WNBA’s international footprint has been expanding rapidly. League figures show 51 foreign-born players appeared in at least one game during the opening week of the 2026 season, a single-season record. Seventy current and former WNBA players ultimately suited up for national teams at the World Cup.
The league has also been growing geographically. The Tempo debuted this season as the WNBA’s first Canadian franchise, joining the returning Portland Fire as the league expanded to 15 teams. Expansion franchises in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia are set to begin play between 2028 and 2030, which would bring the league to 18 teams.
The WNBA played its first regular-season game outside the United States in Vancouver in 2025. A game in Europe would mark a further step in that expansion.
Clark said she noticed the league’s growing reach firsthand while in Germany. “The amount of young kids and young fans that were super excited to see us was cool,” she said.
Back on the Court
Clark returned to WNBA play Friday, posting 28 points and 14 assists in Indiana’s win over Toronto. Teammate Kelsey Mitchell scored 33 points in the game and broke the league’s single-season scoring record.
The Fever have three regular-season games left before the playoffs begin.


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