France Women’s Basketball Dominates Colombia, Eyes Germany Challenge | FIBA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

Villeurbanne, France – The French women’s national basketball team continued their strong start to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament, securing a decisive 88-48 victory over Colombia on Thursday at the Astroballe in Villeurbanne. This win follows a dominant performance against the Philippines earlier in the week, and now Les Bleues turn their attention to a more challenging matchup against Germany on Saturday.

The tournament format, which pairs teams of varying skill levels, has presented a relatively straightforward path for France in the early stages. The draw specifically pitted them against two of the tournament’s weaker opponents to begin with, minimizing early suspense. Thursday’s game followed a similar pattern to Wednesday’s 115-66 win over the Philippines, with France quickly establishing control.

France opened the game with a 15-0 run against Colombia, a team that struggled to find any offensive rhythm. By halftime, the French had built a commanding 43-22 lead, fueled by forcing 15 Colombian turnovers while only committing 8 themselves. The disparity in ball control proved crucial in establishing France’s dominance.

Beyond the scoreline, the French coaching staff will be pleased with the overall health of the squad. Janelle Salaün was given a lighter workload due to a nagging knee injury, a precautionary measure ahead of tougher contests. The team will be looking to maintain its momentum and avoid any further injuries as they progress through the qualifying stages.

While the lopsided scoreline makes drawing definitive tactical conclusions difficult, the French team demonstrated a consistent defensive intensity throughout the game, refusing to concede any easy points. An example of this came late in the third quarter when Gabby Williams was assessed a technical foul for contesting a call, highlighting the team’s commitment to challenging every possession.

Gabby Williams, in particular, had a well-rounded performance, contributing 11 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 interceptions. The starting lineup of Williams, Marine Johannes, Leïla Lacan, Marième Badiane, and Ayayi generally outperformed the bench, with Lacan leading the way with 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. The team’s offensive output was further bolstered by Migna Touré, who also scored 16 points.

Looking ahead, the match against Germany presents a significant step up in competition. France previously eliminated Germany in the quarterfinal round of the 2024 Olympic Games, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this upcoming contest. The game will be a crucial test of France’s ability to perform against a higher-caliber opponent and solidify their position in the qualifying standings.

The FIBA Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be held in Berlin from September 4-13, 2026, is a major goal for Les Bleues. This qualifying tournament is a vital step towards securing a spot in the prestigious competition. The team’s strong start has positioned them well, but the challenges will undoubtedly increase as they face tougher opponents.

For fans following the action, the next match against Germany will be a key indicator of France’s potential in the upcoming World Cup. The team’s ability to translate their dominant form against weaker opponents into success against top-tier competition will be closely watched.

What’s Next: France will face Germany on Saturday in Villeurbanne. Further updates on the team’s progress and schedule can be found on the official FIBA website.

Share your thoughts on France’s performance and their chances in the World Cup qualifiers in the comments below!