BERLIN — Li Yueru will not play for China at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. The Dallas Wings center said in a statement posted to her Instagram story on Wednesday that her passport was lost in the mail, that it still has not been recovered, and that she will miss the tournament in Berlin.
Yueru said she and the national team worked through every possible solution while the search went on.
“Thank you to everyone who has been thinking of me and checking in on me. Over the past few years, I’ve maintained a great relationship with the Chinese Basketball Association and the national team,” Yueru said. “They have always been a strong source of support throughout my career overseas.”
“The national team have always made me feel valued and wanted, and it has always been a tremendous honor to represent China,” Yueru continued. “I was incredibly excited and looking forward to joining the national team again.”
Sixteen teams will play in Berlin from Sept. 4 through Sept. 13. China landed in Group D with the United States, the Czech Republic, and Italy. Its first game comes Friday against the Americans, a rematch of the 2022 World Cup final. The group stage ends Sept. 7.
China’s federation brought 19 players into its April 13 training camp ahead of the World Cup and Asian Games. Yueru and Han Xu were among the overseas players included. FIBA later listed Yueru among 17 players on China’s tournament roster tracker.
Yueru last played for the national team in March at the World Cup qualifying tournament in Wuhan, where China secured its place in Berlin. She averaged 5.0 rebounds over those games, second on the team behind Han.
Yueru said she will not be there this time.
“Unfortunately, my passport was lost in the mail and still hasn’t been found,” Yueru explained. “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.”
“Sometimes, disappointment is simply part of life,” Yueru continued. “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.”
“Thank you for all the love and support,” Yueru added. “See you on the world stage next time!”
Li Yueru’s 2026 Season With the Dallas Wings
Yueru accepted Dallas’ reserved qualifying offer on April 8. She has played 29 games this season, averaging 3.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 0.4 assists. Yueru is shooting 38.6% from the field and 24.2% from 3-point range. In eight August appearances, she averaged 3.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10.3 minutes.
Sunday’s 97-71 win over the Connecticut Sun was her most recent game. She finished with 3 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist, blocked 2 shots, and went 3-of-4 from the free-throw line in front of a sellout crowd of 6,251 at College Park Center.
Dallas acquired Yueru from the Seattle Storm on June 14, 2025 in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick. She appeared in 22 games with 12 starts the rest of that season and averaged 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds. On Aug. 12, 2025, she scored a career-high 20 points at the Indiana Fever. Three days later she sprained the ACL in her left knee against the Los Angeles Sparks, and Dallas ruled her out for the remainder of the year.
Yueru won a silver medal with China at the 2022 World Cup, where the United States took the final 83-61. She won gold at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. At the Paris Olympics on July 28, 2024, she scored a career-high 31 points in a 90-89 loss to Spain.
Yueru won the Unrivaled championship with Mist BC in March. Under Armour added her to its roster July 30 and said she was the first Chinese female professional basketball player to sign with the company.
Dallas Wings Schedule After the World Cup
Dallas enters the break at 24-16, fourth in the Western Conference. The Wings locked up a playoff spot Aug. 25 with a 96-78 win over the Portland Fire, securing their first postseason appearance since 2023.
Paige Bueckers is in Berlin with the United States, and Wings coach José Fernández is on the American staff as a scout coach.
The Wings return Sept. 17 at home against the Los Angeles Sparks. Tip-off is 7 p.m. CT at College Park Center.
