Victor Wembanyama is set to return to France’s national team for the first time since the 2024 Olympics, with the French Basketball Federation naming him to the squad for the first two main qualifying-round games for the 2027 World Cup.
The announcement came Saturday, July 18, 2026, and it gives France its biggest name back as the main qualifying round begins. Wembanyama will also take part in two warm-up matches against Serbia one week before the end-of-August qualifiers, giving him a chance to get back into game rhythm before the important stretch starts.
Why Wembanyama’s return matters
This is not just a roster update. It is a clear sign that France is entering a new phase with its top player and a new coach. Frederic Fauthoux, who replaced Vincent Collet following the Paris Games, will coach Wembanyama for the first time. Fauthoux called the return “extremely important for the future of the project we want to pursue,” and said Wembanyama is “the undisputed leader of this generation.”
That leadership point matters because France is asking Wembanyama to help set the tone both on and off the court as the team moves into a new cycle. The timing also gives France a chance to build continuity early, something that can matter in international basketball where limited practice time often leaves little room for adjustment.
From the Olympics to the next step
Wembanyama’s most recent major international appearance came at the 2024 Olympics, when France lost the final to the United States 98–87. He still delivered a strong performance in that game, finishing with 26 points and seven rebounds. But his national-team path slowed after that.
During the 2024/25 season, his year ended prematurely because of venous thrombosis in his right shoulder. He later withdrew from Euro 2025 because he had not fully recovered. That made Saturday’s announcement especially notable: France now has confirmation that its star center is back in the mix as qualifying begins.
What comes next for France
France will open the main qualifying round at the end of August 2026 with games against Slovenia and then Sweden. Before those contests, Wembanyama is scheduled to play the two warm-up matches against Serbia, which should provide the first look at how he fits into Fauthoux’s setup.
For France, the schedule is straightforward. Get Wembanyama back, get him comfortable, and try to build early momentum in the road to the 2027 World Cup. For Wembanyama, it is another step in a busy year that also comes with major expectations in San Antonio, where his importance to the Spurs keeps growing. The timing makes sense on both sides: France needs him now, and he needs minutes after missing Euro 2025 and finishing the previous season early.
That broader spotlight is nothing new for Wembanyama. He remains one of the most watched players in the sport, whether the conversation is about his international role or his long-term future with the Spurs. Articles such as Victor Wembanyama’s projected $252 million Spurs extension shows why the second apron is changing the NBA and Victor Wembanyama's $251 million extension could climb to $300 million — and the Spurs should care about every dollar underline how much attention follows him. But for the moment, France’s focus is simpler: its best player is back, and the next stop is the 2027 World Cup qualifying round.
