France Names 14-Man Squad for World Cup Qualifiers Led by Mathias Lessort and Nadir Hifi

The French Basketball Federation has announced a 14-player roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifiers, featuring the return of Panathinaikos center Mathias Lessort and Paris Basketball guard Nadir Hifi alongside four new call-ups.

Head coach Frédéric Fauthoux selected the squad ahead of Group L matches against Estonia in Tallinn on November 27, 2026, and Sweden at the Palais des Sports in Dijon on November 30, 2026. France sits atop Group L with a 5-3 record, holding a two-game cushion over Finland with four qualifying matches remaining in the campaign for the 2027 tournament.

Mathias Lessort and Nadir Hifi Return to the National Team Setup

Mathias Lessort returns to the national team for the first time since the Paris Olympic Games. The 31-year-old pivot rejoins the squad following strong early-season performances with Panathinaikos, anchoring a frontcourt that also includes EuroLeague teammate Jaylen Hoard, Amine Noua, and Lionel Gaudoux.

Nadir Hifi joins the backcourt after missing out on selection during the final three qualifying fixtures in July and August. Fauthoux noted that the guard’s style was previously difficult to integrate alongside certain teammates, but ultimately selected the 24-year-old over established options including Strazel, Francisco, and Théo Maledon.

France Names 14-Man Squad for World Cup Qualifiers Led by Mathias Lessort and Nadir Hifi

Four New Faces Join the French Squad

Fauthoux integrated four players into the 14-man selection. Cholet power forward Mohamed Diarra and Lérida forward-center Zacharie Perrin join the frontcourt mix, while Chalon playmaker Mathéo Leray and Nanterre wing Hugo Yimga-Moukouri join the perimeter.

The backcourt features returnees Benjamin Sene, Hugo Benitez, Gérald Ayayi, Axel Bouteille, and Adam Mokoka. The roster combines players already solicited during previous windows and other profiles with less international experience as France looks to secure its qualification berth.

EuroLeague Schedule Complicates Early Training Sessions

Three key players—Lessort, Hifi, and Hoard—will face a tight turnaround due to continental club commitments. While eleven members of the squad are scheduled to begin training on Monday, November 23, the three EuroLeague-based players are slated to feature in the competition’s 14th round on Tuesday, November 24.

Those athletes are expected to join the national team group the following day without participating in full training sessions immediately prior to the international window.

Mathias lessort france basketball semifinal during the olympic games paris on august at bercy arena in paris france

France Seeks Further Wins to Secure World Cup Qualification

France leads Group L comfortably despite a defeat against Finland on December 1, 2026. Fauthoux emphasized that the primary objective remains securing the remaining wins needed to finalize qualification for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.

“The discourse is winning, to keep the momentum going,” Fauthoux stated regarding the upcoming fixtures. “If qualification is secured on Friday, that will be a bonus. We must be wary of both Estonia and Sweden, two teams fighting neck and neck to qualify, so they will give everything.”