Victor Wembanyama Returns to France for First Time Since Olympics, Boosting 2027 World Cup Hopes
Victor Wembanyama is officially set to wear the French national team jersey again, marking his first international appearance since helping France capture silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The French Basketball Federation (FFBB) announced on Saturday that the San Antonio Spurs superstar has been included in France’s squad for the opening games of the main qualifying round for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Wembanyama is expected to feature in crucial fixtures against Slovenia and Sweden at the end of August, while also taking part in two warm-up games against Serbia in the lead-up to the qualifiers.
His return comes after several months away from international competition following a difficult recovery from venous thrombosis in his right shoulder. The health setback forced the 22-year-old to miss EuroBasket 2025 and also cut short what had been a sensational NBA campaign.
France head coach Frédéric Fauthoux described Wembanyama’s return as a major boost for the national team, emphasizing that the young superstar is central to the future of French basketball.
“Victor is the undisputed leader of this generation,” Fauthoux said. “Having him back allows us to continue building chemistry within the group, both on and off the court, as we prepare for the challenges ahead.”
Wembanyama returns to the international stage carrying even greater expectations after establishing himself among the NBA’s elite. During the 2025-26 season, he averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, an NBA-leading 3.1 blocks, and 1.0 steal per game, anchoring the San Antonio Spurs on both ends of the floor.
His remarkable performances earned him the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award by unanimous vote, while he played a pivotal role in guiding the Spurs to a 62-20 regular-season record, the second-best mark in the league. Wembanyama also led San Antonio on an impressive playoff run, overcoming Portland, Minnesota, and Oklahoma City before the Spurs’ championship hopes ended with a defeat to the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.
Now fully recovered and back in the French setup, Wembanyama’s focus shifts to helping Les Bleus begin their road to the 2027 FIBA World Cup on a strong note. His presence instantly strengthens a talented French squad eager to establish itself as one of the world’s leading basketball powers.
