Basketball: Victor Wembanyama returns to French national team for first time since 2024 Olympics

Victor Wembanyama is set to make his return to the French national basketball team in late August, participating in the qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup. This marks his first time suiting up for Les Bleus since the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The San Antonio star had previously withdrawn from Euro 2025 due to a right shoulder injury that ended his 2024-2025 NBA season prematurely in February. He is now included in the squad for two World Cup qualifying matches: August 27 against Slovenia in Paris and August 30 in Sweden. Additionally, the team will play two preparation games against Serbia on August 20 in Belgrade and August 23 in Orléans.

Frédéric Fauthoux, the new head coach of the French team who took over after the 2024 Olympics, emphasized Wembanyama's significance. "It is extremely important for the continuation of the project we want to lead. Victor is the undisputed leader of this generation," Fauthoux stated in a press release from the French Basketball Federation (FFBB). "His presence needs to become concrete to create chemistry with the others, both on the court and in life around basketball. It’s as simple as that."

Wembanyama, standing at 2.24 meters, was the top scorer in the 2024 Olympic final loss to the United States, where he recorded 26 points and 7 rebounds. Since then, he has continued to build an impressive career, adding the NBA Rookie of the Year award for the 2023-2024 season to his accolades, and in 2025-2026, he was named Defensive Player of the Year and reached the NBA Finals with his team, ultimately losing to New York.

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It is extremely important for the continuation of the project we want to lead. Victor is the undisputed leader of this generation. His presence needs to become concrete to create chemistry with the others, both on the court and in life around basketball. It’s as simple as that.