Hungary Ends 40-Year World Cup Quarterfinal Drought — Now Comes Team USA
Hungary beat Japan 84-63 in Berlin to reach the Women’s Basketball World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in four decades. Their reward is the toughest possible test: the United States.
Hungary produced one of the feel-good stories of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup by defeating Japan 84-63 and advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time in 40 years.
Réka Lelik led Hungary with 23 points, while Virág Takács-Kiss added 17. Hungary started fast, controlled the game physically and pulled away as Japan struggled to match its size and consistency.
The result sets up a quarterfinal against the four-time defending champion United States on Thursday in Berlin. FIBA had highlighted Hungary’s interior strength as one of the keys to its tournament run, particularly the presence of Dorka Juhász and Takács-Kiss.
For Hungary, reaching the last eight is already historic. The challenge now is very different. Team USA remains the benchmark of international women’s basketball, but this tournament has already shown that the Americans can be pushed.
Hungary will enter the game as a clear underdog, yet with little to lose. After ending a 40-year wait, the next step is a chance to create an even bigger upset.