Wembanyama named France captain for 2027 World Cup qualifiers

Victor Wembanyama has been appointed France captain for four games in August as he returns to the national team for the first time since the Paris 2024 Olympics. The San Antonio Spurs centre will lead Les Bleus in the next phase of their 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying campaign.

The 22-year-old’s promotion places him above a squad that includes experienced internationals Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier. Gobert wore the armband during France’s July matches against Belgium and Finland, which took place while Wembanyama was unavailable.

Wembanyama’s first fixtures as captain will be against Serbia. France will travel to Belgrade on August 20 before hosting the same opponent in Orléans three days later. The team will then meet Slovenia in Paris on August 27 and Sweden in Stockholm on August 30.

Coach Frédéric Fauthoux has identified Wembanyama as the leading figure among France’s next generation. His decision to hand the captaincy to the young centre reflects the role Wembanyama has assumed with the Spurs and the responsibility now expected of him in the national team.

France begins the second qualifying phase with a 5-1 record and sits first in Group L. Wembanyama therefore returns to a side already in a strong position to reach the 2027 World Cup in Qatar, with four August matches ahead of him as captain.

The appointment follows a period away from international basketball for Wembanyama. He missed France’s European Championship campaign because of injury and was also absent from the July window after completing his NBA season. His last appearance for Les Bleus came during the Olympic tournament in Paris, where France won silver.

Wembanyama has welcomed the return, stressing the importance of the limited opportunities available in an international career and the significance of representing France. His captaincy gives him a more prominent place in a team that combines his emerging leadership with the experience of Gobert and Fournier.