There’s a sneaky good team in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup

The FIBA World Cup is underway, and the United States women are once again the heavy favorite to walk away with the gold medal. The US hasn’t lost in the World Cup since 2006, and this year’s roster is stacked with both veteran and up-and-coming talent.

Their biggest threat has long appeared to be France, who have dominated all three games of Group Play action and finished with the silver medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

But, there’s another, more under-the-radar team that has impressed in the early days of the World Cup: Belgium.

Belgium beat Australia 80-68 on Monday behind a monster performance from Emma Meesseman, who exploded for 22 points on 10-of-17 shooting, along with 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals. Julie Vanloo (12 points, 5 assists) and Julie Allemand (11 points, 7 assists) were also both highly impactful.

Australia is a powerhouse of its own. Its roster includes 8 WNBA players: Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm), Chloe Bibby (Minnesota Lynx), Isobel Borlase (Atlanta Dream), Milea Sowah (Golden State Valkyries), Rebecca Allen (New York Liberty), Jade Melbourne (Storm), Alanna Smith (Dallas Wings), and Steph Talbot (Las Vegas Aces).

Belgium, in comparison, has three active WNBA players — Antonia Delaere (Minnesota Lynx), Kyara Linskens (Phoenix Mercury), and Julie Allemand (Toronto Tempo).

But that number is slightly misleading, because Meesseman and Vanloo were both in the league last season, and Meesseman is a former WNBA Finals MVP. And, on Monday, Belgium was the superior team.

Belgium has been impressive throughout World Cup Group Play

Before their win against Australia, Belgium beat Turkey 89-75 and Puerto Rico 76-64 in the first two games of Group Play action this week.

Against Turkey, Belgium was again led by Emma Meesseman, who finished with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Against Puerto Rico, Belgium was led by Maxuella Lisowa Mbaka, who finished with 16 points, and Vanloo, who added 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.

The gold medal favorites remain the United States and France, both teams that are inundated with top-end WNBA talent. But if Group Play games are any indication, Belgium could be squarely in the mix for a medal.