FIBA Women's World Cup begins without Canada. Is it a setback for national team, or a reset for LA28?

It was a cruel twist of fate. Just three days before the WNBA and its players landed on a new collective bargaining agreement — one that would officialize Canada’s first WNBA team’s inaugural season — the country’s national team was dealt a blow. It was eliminated from World Cup contention. And by Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello’s Australian team, no less.