WNBA's Li Yueru to Miss 2026 FIBA World Cup After Passport Lost in the Mail

Dallas Wings center Li Yueru won't be representing China in the FIBA Women's World Cup due to passport issues.

Li announced on social media her passport "was lost in the mail and still hasn't been found" (via the Associated Press' Doug Feinberg).

"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," she said. "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."

The 27-year-old is averaging 3.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.3 blocks in 10.3 minutes per game with the Wings. She's in her fourth season in the WNBA, having played in the Women's Chinese Basketball Association before making the jump.

Li has competed with China at multiple major tournaments.

She was third on the team in points (10.1) and second in rebounds (7.6) as it earned a silver medal in the 2022 World Cup. At the 2024 Summer Olympics, she averaged a double-double (17.7 points and 11.0 rebounds) as China failed to make it out of the group stage.

With Li out of the event, coach Gong Luming will have to lean more on Han Xu, another big with experience at the highest levels of the sport. This is also likely to be a showcase for 7'2" 19-year-old Zhang Ziyu.

In general, China won't have the luxury of easing into the World Cup. It faces off with the United States on Friday in its first game.