What Happened to French National Basketball Team?

The French National Basketball Team has experienced a significant period of success and evolution in recent years, solidifying its position among the global elite. Following a bronze medal finish at the FIBA World Cup in 2019, the team continued its strong trajectory, securing a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which were postponed and held in 2021 due to the pandemic. This achievement underscored their growing competitiveness on the world stage.

A key turning point for Les Bleus was their performance at the EuroBasket 2022, where they once again claimed a silver medal, further cementing their status as a top European team. However, the FIBA World Cup 2023 proved to be a disappointment, with France failing to advance deep into the tournament. This setback prompted reflection and a renewed focus on future competitions.

The team rebounded strongly at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where, as hosts, they delivered a memorable performance, reaching the gold medal game before ultimately securing another silver medal after a hard-fought final against the United States. This home-court success, with key contributions from players like Victor Wembanyama, Guerschon Yabusele, and Isaia Cordinier, showcased the depth of French talent and their ability to perform under pressure. Nicolas Batum and Nando De Colo, long-time cornerstones, retired from the national team after the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking the end of an era.

In September 2024, a significant leadership change occurred with Frédéric Fauthoux taking over as the new head coach, succeeding Vincent Collet, who had led the team for 15 years. Fauthoux, a former national team guard, was tasked with guiding the team through the EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers, EuroBasket 2025, and the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, with an eye towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The most recent and impactful development came in August 2026, when 22-year-old phenom Victor Wembanyama was named the new captain of the French national team, making him the youngest captain since Tony Parker in 2003. Coach Fauthoux cited Wembanyama's work ethic, elite mentality, and status as the future of French basketball as reasons for this decision, emphasizing that there was "no point in waiting". This move signifies a clear generational shift and a strong commitment to building the team around Wembanyama's exceptional talent.

As of August 22, 2026, the French National Basketball Team is actively preparing for the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. They recently played friendly matches against Serbia, including a narrow 90-87 loss on August 20, 2026, where Wembanyama made his return to international action and scored 10 points against Nikola Jokic's Serbia. The team is currently ranked fourth in the FIBA World Ranking. Looking ahead, France will host the 2031 FIBA Basketball World Cup, further highlighting their growing influence in global basketball. The EuroBasket 2025 roster, announced in September 2025, notably excluded Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert, and Evan Fournier due to health-related issues, indicating a focus on developing a broader talent pool. Tony Parker was also named head coach of France's U17 team for the 2026 FIBA U17 World Cup, showcasing a commitment to youth development.