STWF Sports | DALLAS, Texas | Aug. 8, 2026 — The Dallas Wings announced Saturday that the team has temporarily suspended the contract of guard Costanza Verona, allowing the developmental player to report to the Italian national team ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
Verona, who is currently under a Developmental Player contract with Dallas, is expected to join Italy as the national team prepares for the tournament in Berlin from Sept. 4-13.
The move gives Verona the opportunity to shift her focus toward international competition while also creating short-term roster flexibility for the Wings.
Costanza Verona’s Influence on the Team
Verona is the starting point guard for Italy and is one of four Dallas players expected to compete at this year’s World Cup. She joins Paige Bueckers, who will represent the United States, Alanna Smith, who is set to play for Australia, and Li Yueru, who will represent China.
Dallas head coach Jose Fernandez will also be involved in the tournament after being selected to serve as a Scout Coach for Team USA.
The collection of Wings players and staff members headed to Berlin gives Dallas a significant presence at one of the biggest events on the international basketball calendar.
For Verona, the temporary suspension allows her to report directly to the Italian national team rather than remaining active under her current Wings contract.
The roster mechanism also gives Dallas the option to bring in another Developmental Player while Verona is away.
That flexibility could become important as the Wings continue navigating a demanding late-season schedule. Developmental Player contracts have given teams another way to manage roster depth, and Dallas now has the ability to use Verona’s temporary absence to evaluate or add another player if needed.
Verona’s international role also reflects the experience she brings despite her developmental status with the Wings.
As Italy’s starting point guard, she will be asked to help organize the offense, set tempo and provide stability against some of the top national teams in the world.
Her World Cup participation adds another layer to a growing international profile within the Dallas roster.
Bueckers was recently named to the 12-player United States roster for the tournament, while Smith and Li are also expected to play significant roles for Australia and China, respectively.
That means several members of the Wings will transition directly from WNBA competition into national team responsibilities as the international calendar begins.
The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup is scheduled to bring together many of the sport’s top players, with the United States entering as the defending champion and seeking another gold medal.
For Dallas, the tournament will provide another opportunity for its players to gain high-level experience in a different competitive environment.
The temporary suspension of Verona’s contract is not a release from the organization. Instead, it allows her to fulfill her international commitment while giving the Wings additional flexibility within their developmental roster structure.
Dallas can now sign another Developmental Player while Verona is away, giving the front office an opportunity to strengthen the roster during the final stretch of the regular season.
As the Wings continue their push toward the postseason, the organization will also keep an eye on Berlin, where four Dallas players and Fernandez are expected to represent their respective national programs.
For Verona, Saturday’s transaction marks the beginning of her next assignment — helping Italy compete on the world stage.
