:focal(182x72:184x70)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/08/07/image-6e4a38ee-4016-4c4f-90e3-1bd592143d23-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
The French women’s national basketball team has officially named eight WNBA players in its expanded 32-player roster for the upcoming FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, scheduled to run from September 4 to September 13 in Berlin, Germany. According to reports from regional and national outlets, the Fédération Française de Basket-Ball chose to release the preliminary selection early to provide clarity for the athletes and their respective North American franchises ahead of a compressed summer calendar.
Roster Highlights and Notable Inclusions
The selected group features several key contributors from the squad that claimed silver at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where France fell just short against the United States in a 67-66 final. Headlining the group are established stars Gabby Williams, who plays for the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries, and Marine Johannès of the New York Liberty. Both players opted to focus on their professional commitments in North America rather than participate in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 tournament, making the World Cup their first major international appearance in a blue jersey since the 2024 Olympic summit clash.
https://x.com/FRABasketball/status/2091832358487962046
Alongside Williams and Johannès, the French staff confirmed call-ups for team captain Valériane Ayayi, Leïla Lacan, Janelle Salaün, and Dominique Malonga. Young guard Carla Leite, 22, earned her spot in the elite group and is poised to make her major international tournament debut with the senior team, alongside Pauline Astier. Meanwhile, prominent names missing from the final selection include veteran guard Marine Fauthoux—a silver medalist in Paris—alongside Nell Angloma, Noémie Brochant, and Tima Pouye, all of whom featured in the broader 32-player training pool.
WNBA Scheduling and Staggered Arrival Timeline
Unlike FIBA regulations governing the men’s game in cooperation with the NBA—which mandates a 28-day pre-tournament release window—women’s basketball operates under stricter club commitments. According to league schedules cited in sports coverage, the WNBA regular season does not officially pause for the World Cup until August 31, just four days before the tournament’s opening tip-off on September 4.
Because of these scheduling constraints, the French players will arrive in Europe in staggered waves. Williams and Johannès are slated to land with the national team group on August 29 and August 30, respectively, following the conclusion of their immediate club obligations. Malonga, who plays for the Seattle Storm, will be the final player to touch down in Germany, arriving on August 31.
Preparation Stage at INSEP
Led by head coach Jean-Aimé Toupane, the French delegation is currently training at the INSEP facility outside Paris. As part of their domestic preparation block, the squad is scheduled to contest two closed-door training matches against Italy this week. Federation officials announced that the final 12-player tournament roster will be unveiled immediately following those two preparatory fixtures.
France opens its World Cup campaign in Berlin on September 4 against Hungary, aiming to improve upon its previous global finishes and secure a podium finish in a fiercely competitive international field.
Worth a look
