Team Canada to play for gold at World Championships

Top the Netherlands 85-73 in Thursday’s semifinals

OTTAWA (Wheelchair Basketball Canada) – Team Canada will play for gold at the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships on Saturday following a thrilling 85-73 victory over the Netherlands in Thursday’s semifinal.

Team Canada will face the United States in Saturday’s gold medal game at 2:30 p.m. EDT at TD Arena.

“I’m just so grateful to be here,” said Arinn Young. “I’m an athlete that has got the opportunity to play on home soil previously in a final, and I’m incredibly fortunate, and that’s what I’m riding on.”

Kady Dandeneau paced the Senior Women’s National Team offence with a game-high 35 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while Young chipped in a triple-double, scoring 34 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds.

Canada’s offence was effective inside, finishing with 48 points in the paint, while 24 points came off turnovers. The Senior Women’s National Team also controlled the glass, posting a 35–26 rebounding advantage, and finished the night shooting 53 per cent from the field.

Team Canada’s last podium finish at a World Championships came on home soil in 2014 in Toronto – Young was a member of that squad.

“It’s so much fun,” Young said of playing at home. “We have a good track record. The group of girls here is incredibly special. I’m fortunate to play with them. I’m proud of them.”

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Canada last met the United States in a gold medal game at a major competition at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, taking silver.

“We are a lot better team than we were in Chile,” said Young. “Lots of things are clicking for us right now. It’s going to be a great final, and I’m just looking forward to playing in it.”

Team Canada led 62-60 through three quarters.

Canada continued to find success attacking the basket, scoring 36 points in the paint while forcing the Netherlands into mistakes that led to 18 points off turnovers. The Canadians also maintained a 27–19 advantage on the boards.

The SWNT weathered a Netherlands push in the second quarter and led 42-40 at halftime.

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Dandeneau had 20 points after 20 minutes while grabbing eight rebounds and three assists. Young chipped in 15.

Canada found success inside, with 24 points in the paint through the first half. Canada also held a 17–12 rebounding advantage.

Team Canada came out firing in the first quarter, building a 30–18 lead through the game’s first 10 minutes.

The SWNT shot 12-of-19 from the field in the quarter and controlled the glass with a 12–4 rebounding advantage.

Canada’s pressure also helped generate seven points off turnovers.

Complete stats from Thursday’s semifinal win are available here.