The stage is set for the 2026 FIBA World Cup gold medal game between the United States and France. So far, Team USA’s road to the Final has not been seamless, but that should not be used to underestimate the defending champions against France, a team that has dominated this tournament. While her team has dominated FIBA World Cup history, Breanna Stewart has a chance to write her own in Berlin.

Stewart is one of the most successful stars in the WNBA, and her international career resume is no different. The New York Liberty star’s success has come because of her consistency and her mantra that she follows before she steps on the floor.

“Like me personally, before games, I have a few things that I think about, and one is: dominate,” Stewart said on ‘The Pull Up with USA Basketball,’ when asked if she had any special trick or a special routine to get you into the present moment.

Stewart has won three gold medals at the FIBA World Cup and stands a chance to win her fourth. If she does, she will be tied with Sue Bird for the most gold medals won by a player in FIBA basketball history. So far, she has played like she has her eyes fixed on the prize.

Her impact on her team’s result has been on both ends of the floor, and that’s what makes her the biggest threat against her opponents. Stewart has played elite basketball, especially in the last three games. She leads her team in efficiency (16.6), rebounds (6.8) and she is second among the leading scorers (11.0 ppg), just behind Jackie Young (11.2 ppg).

“I know I’m going to go into the game, [and] shots are going to go in, or shots are not going to go in, but the way you can affect the game can always be consistent. I feel like I can affect it in a huge way all the time,” she added. 

Stewart is an elite three-level scorer, and her presence concentrates gravity, making the offense easy on her. She led her team with 16 points against Spain. While her team was struggling to score, Stewart kept the score in motion, shooting 66.7% from the field. Stewart also recorded 6 rebounds, a block and a steal. The Americans won the game in the late fourth quarter, after ending the third quarter with the score tied at 58-58.

However, France is a different opponent altogether. The US team cannot afford to make the same mistakes they made against Italy and Spain. Stewart does have faith in her team.

“We have the best 12 players in the world when you put them together, and knowing that when all of us are really putting our best foot forward in these do-or-die situations, it’s going to be a long night for the other team,” she said in the interview.

The Americans have certainly struggled to put the ball in the basket in a few games. However, their defense has been forthright and suffocating. They have been able to disrupt and dominate their opponents with their defensive intensity.

Team USA won against Spain by 76-66. That was the highest point total scored by a team against Team USA. The Americans have also forced at least 15 turnovers against all five teams they have faced so far, and none of the opponents have even touched the 38% mark in shooting.

France is not the same team that the US team faced in the 2024 Olympic gold medal. They are better and more experienced. On the other hand, Team USA is missing key players like A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum. If they want to win the gold medal, they will have to play their absolute best.