China’s Li Yueru Out of World Cup Due to Lost Passport

The update

China will face the United States without its leading scorer. Li Yueru, a 6-foot-7 center for the Dallas Wings, announced on Instagram that she cannot join the national team in Berlin because her passport was lost in the mail. The replacement process was not completed in time for the tournament, which begins with China’s matchup against Team USA on Friday.

Why it matters

Li was the focal point of China’s offense at the 2024 Olympics and the 2022 World Cup. Her absence is a significant blow to China’s chances of reaching the podium, particularly given the team’s reliance on her size and scoring inside. Without Li, China will still have size options but lacks her proven ability to dominate inside.

What to watch

Li’s replacement remains an open question. The team has other size options, including 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu and 6-foot-9 Han Xu, but neither offers the same scoring punch. Analysts will be watching how the coaching staff adjusts its offense without its primary interior threat against a formidable Team squad.

Sources

• cbssports.com — Li Yueru's statement on the lost passport and her Olympic/World Cup performance context.
• USA TODAY Sports — Confirmation of the lost passport issue and the timing relative to the Team USA matchup.