Villeurbanne, France – The French women’s national basketball team, already assured of a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, will close out their qualifying tournament against South Korea on Tuesday evening. Having secured their place after wins against the Philippines and Colombia, coupled with defeats for those same opponents, Les Bleues aim to complete a perfect run through the qualifying round.
The match, taking place at the Astroballe arena in Villeurbanne, tips off at 8:30 PM local time (20:30 CET) on Tuesday, March 17th. For fans across the globe and particularly those in the United States, that translates to 1:30 PM Eastern Time (ET) and 10:30 AM Pacific Time (PT). This game represents not just a chance to finish the tournament undefeated, but also a final opportunity for head coach Jean-Aimé Toupane to assess his squad before the World Cup in September.
A Qualifying Campaign Already Secured
France’s qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup was confirmed before they even stepped onto the court for their match against Germany on Saturday. The results of games involving the Philippines and Colombia sealed their fate. The Philippines lost to Nigeria 101-84, and Colombia fell to South Korea 82-52, guaranteeing France’s advancement regardless of their remaining games. This early qualification allows the team to approach the final matches with a focus on preparation and refining their game plan.
South Korea Presents a Challenge
Despite France’s already secured spot, South Korea should not be underestimated. Currently ranked 15th in the world by FIBA, they have demonstrated their competitiveness throughout the qualifying tournament, winning three of their four games in Villeurbanne. This suggests a resilient and capable team that will provide a stern test for the French squad. Coach Toupane acknowledged the need for focus, stating, as reported by Le Parisien, that the team is aware of the challenge South Korea presents.
What Coach Toupane Has Said
The atmosphere in Villeurbanne has been a significant boost for the French team. “The welcome has been excellent, the public has been excellent and I thank them,” Toupane said, according to the French Basketball Federation website. “The girls say it shows where women’s sport and particularly basketball is today.” This strong home support will undoubtedly play a role as Les Bleues aim to finish the qualifying tournament on a high note.
How to Watch France vs. South Korea
For viewers wanting to catch the action live, the game will be broadcast on beIN Sports 1, starting at 20:30 CET on Tuesday, March 17th. This provides a direct broadcast for fans in Europe and regions where beIN Sports is available. Unfortunately, specific broadcast details for viewers in North America are currently unavailable, but fans can check local listings or explore options for international sports streaming services.
Looking Ahead to Berlin
With qualification secured, the focus for France now shifts to the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, Germany, from September 4th to 13th, 2026. This will be France’s 12th appearance in the tournament, with their best result coming in 1953 when they secured a bronze medal. Currently ranked 3rd in the FIBA World Ranking Women, presented by Nike, Les Bleues will be looking to improve on their 7th-place finish at the 2022 World Cup and build on their recent success, including a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The team will also face Germany and Nigeria in their remaining qualifying matches, providing further opportunities to fine-tune their strategies and assess player combinations before the World Cup. Dominique Malonga, despite a recent head injury, is expected to play a key role, having already made a significant impact with a memorable performance – including the first dunk by a French woman in senior national team play – against the Philippines.
Tuesday’s match against South Korea offers a final chance for fans in Villeurbanne to witness the team’s preparation firsthand. For those unable to attend, beIN Sports 1 will provide live coverage, allowing fans worldwide to follow the action as France aims to complete a dominant run through the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament.
What do you think? Can France finish the qualifying tournament undefeated? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
