Dallas Wings center Li Yueru will be unable to join the Chinese team in Berlin for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup starting Friday after her passport was lost in the mail.
“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,” Li wrote on Instagram Wednesday in a since-expired post.
Li, 27, was a key contributor to the Chinese national team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, leading the team in points and rebounds. China finished out of the medal run.
The WNBA has been on pause since Monday ahead of the start of the FIBA event in Germany, which runs through Sept. 13.
The WNBA resumes on Sept. 16, with the Wings playing their first game back on Sept. 17 at home against the Los Angeles Sparks.
The 2026 FIBA World Cup is the first to coincide with the WNBA regular season.
“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 wrote.
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