In a significant setback for the Chinese women's basketball team, Li Yueru has been ruled out of the upcoming FIBA Women's World Cup due to a lost passport. The tournament is set to commence in Germany this week, and Li's inability to secure her travel documentation in time has left the team without one of its key players.
The Dallas Wings center took to social media to express her disappointment, revealing that her replacement passport has not arrived despite efforts to resolve the issue. "Thank you to everyone who has been thinking of me and checking in on me. Over the past few years, I’ve maintained a great relationship with the Chinese Basketball Association and the national team. They have always been a strong source of support throughout my career overseas," she stated.
Li, who stands at 6-foot-7, was a pivotal player for China during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she led the team in scoring. Her absence will undoubtedly be felt as the team prepares to face formidable opponents, including their opening match against the United States in Group D.
In her heartfelt message, Li continued, "Unfortunately, my passport was lost in the mail and still hasn’t been found. 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. As of today, the passport is still missing. Sometimes, disappointment is simply part of life. I’m sad that I won’t be able to be there this time, but I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me and continues to support Chinese women’s basketball."
Li Yueru, 27, began her WNBA career in 2022 with the Chicago Sky and has since played for the Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm before being traded to the Wings in June 2025. Her experience and skills would have been invaluable to a Chinese squad looking to make a deep run in the tournament.
Despite the loss of Li, China still boasts talented players such as Han Xu, who is 6-foot-10, and Zhang Ziyu, standing at 7-foot-3. The team will need to rally together and leverage their strengths as they embark on their World Cup journey without one of their star athletes.
The FIBA Women's World Cup represents a critical opportunity for national teams to showcase their talent on an international stage, and for China, it will be a chance to prove their mettle against some of the best teams in the world. As they prepare for their first game against the USA, the team will have to adjust their strategies in light of Li's absence.
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