The 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup is set to tip off in Germany in just two days, and Team China had every reason to believe they could improve on their silver-medal finish from 2022. But a cruel twist of fate has dealt a devastating blow to their aspirations: star center Li Yueru will not be on the court.
The Dallas Wings big man took to social media to share her heartbreak, revealing that her passport was lost in the mail, making it impossible for her to travel and represent her country. "Unfortunately, my passport was lost in the mail and still hasn't been found," she wrote. "Throughout this time, we've all been working hard together and exploring every possible solution, but maybe we were just a little short on luck this time."
The timing couldn't be worse for China, as they open their tournament against the powerhouse Team USA on Friday. Without Li, their frontcourt loses a dominant presence and a veteran leader who has been a cornerstone of the national team for years.
A Decade of Dominance
At just 27, Li Yueru boasts over a decade of professional experience. She made her mark with the Guangdong Dolphins from 2015 to 2019, averaging over 18 points per game in her final two seasons there. Her stellar play earned her a WNBA draft selection by the Atlanta Dream in 2019, but she remained overseas, playing for Inner Mongolia Nongxin before finally making her WNBA debut with the Chicago Sky in 2022.
After missing the 2023 season due to injury, Li returned to the league in 2024 with the Los Angeles Sparks, where she began to see significant playing time. Last year, she split time between the Seattle Storm and the Dallas Wings, establishing herself as a reliable bench contributor. Her growth has been a key reason China currently sits at No. 4 in the world rankings.
Without Li, China's path to the podium becomes significantly steeper. The team will need to rely on other players to step up, but replacing a player of her caliber is no easy task. As the tournament gets underway, all eyes will be on how China adjusts to this unexpected setback.
This isn't the first time star power has been missing from the World Cup. The U.S. team is also dealing with the absence of key players like A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, which could open the door for other nations. But for China, the loss of Li is a personal and emotional blow that goes beyond strategy.
Li's social media post was met with an outpouring of support from fans and teammates, who echoed her sentiment that sometimes luck just isn't on your side. As she watches from afar, her teammates will carry her spirit onto the court, hoping to make her proud.
