France is already looking ahead to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, determined to assemble a roster that includes their Olympic standout Victor Wembanyama. The young star’s presence could prove decisive for the team as they aim to improve on their EuroBasket 2025 performance, where they were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Georgia.
The 21-year-old center had a second NBA season interrupted by a deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder, which kept him from participating in EuroBasket 2025. He did not appear for the young French squad that exited the tournament before reaching the quarterfinals. Now, fully healthy and showing strong form in the Spurs’ preseason, Wembanyama is ready to return to international play. In a recent preseason matchup, he scored 22 points in just 16 minutes during the first half against Utah, demonstrating the type of impact he can have on the court.
France’s head coach Frederic Fauthoux spoke to NBA Extra on BeIN Sports about his plans for the team and Wembanyama’s potential participation. He expressed that the French national team will be built around Wembanyama in the coming years, and that both he and the national team general manager Boris Diaw are in constant communication with the young star. Wembanyama has shown enthusiasm for representing France and remains motivated to contribute to the team’s success.
Fauthoux revealed that the goal is to have Wembanyama back in the squad for the third qualifying window in July 2026, if not by August at the latest. This would allow him to participate in the matches against Belgium on July 3 and Finland on July 6, as well as the fourth qualifying window in August. While he acknowledged the challenge of coordinating schedules with NBA commitments, Fauthoux believes it is potentially feasible to see Wembanyama on the roster during this period.
Beyond Wembanyama, Fauthoux highlighted the importance of having experienced players present at every qualifying window. The French coach emphasized that building a competitive team for the European Qualifiers requires a combination of seasoned leadership and emerging talent. “Experience cannot be bought,” Fauthoux said, noting that young players such as Bilal Coulibaly, Zaccharie Risacher, and Alexandre Sarr showed promise at EuroBasket 2025 and will continue to develop over the next year or two. He also reminded fans that veterans like Evan Fournier and Matthew Strazel, who were absent this summer, remain integral to the team’s long-term plans.
This summer marked Fauthoux’s first EuroBasket as head coach, taking over from Vincent Collet, who led France for several years, including two consecutive Olympic Finals appearances. The new coach has focused on building relationships with players and their respective franchises to ensure that France can field its strongest team during key qualifying periods. Fauthoux emphasized that motivated players are often released by their clubs for international duty, and he hopes that pattern will continue, particularly for NBA stars like Wembanyama.
With international basketball becoming increasingly competitive, France is taking no chances. The team’s preparation will involve careful coordination and relationship-building to ensure that both young talents and established players are ready for the challenge. If successful, the inclusion of Victor Wembanyama could give France a significant advantage as they aim to make a deeper run in the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
