The WNBA is pausing so its players can go to a different tournament. Sixteen national teams meet in Berlin, up from 12 at the last Women's World Cup. Group winners go straight to the quarterfinals. Early games count. Familiar WNBA teammates will play different roles, for different coaches, without club chemistry.

Team USA has the deepest pool and 11 world titles. The question is not whether the Americans are favorites. It is where opponents can make them uncomfortable. Belgium, Australia, France, China, and other programs can run lineups and styles the WNBA does not copy exactly. A short group phase leaves little room to recover from one bad matchup. Depth matters. So does a system players can run without a long camp.

Preparation games show who is available and which combinations are being tested. They are not the tournament. Watch who controls pace, who can defend without fouling, and which national teams give their WNBA stars a clearer job than the one they left.