Villeurbanne, France – The French women’s national basketball team begins its quest to qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup this Wednesday, facing the Philippines in the opening match of a qualifying tournament hosted at the Astroballe arena in Villeurbanne. France, coming off a silver medal performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, is favored to advance to the tournament in Germany, scheduled for September 4-13.
This week’s tournament represents a crucial step for Les Bleues, as they aim to secure one of the four qualifying spots available. The competition features a challenging field including Germany, Nigeria, Colombia, South Korea, and the Philippines. Germany and Nigeria have already qualified for the World Cup as the host nation and the African champions, respectively, meaning France must finish among the top two teams amongst the Philippines, Colombia, and South Korea to advance.
France vs. Philippines: How to Watch
The first game of the qualifying tournament, featuring France and the Philippines, will be broadcast live on beIN Sports 1, starting at 8:30 PM local time (20:30 CET) on Wednesday, March 11th. Fans can also follow live updates and scores through FIBA’s official channels.
A Familiar Face Leads France
The French team boasts a roster featuring nine players from the silver medal-winning Olympic squad. Gabby Williams, a key contributor to the team’s success in Paris, returns to lead the charge. Marine Johannès and Dominique Malonga are also back in the lineup, providing experience and scoring power. The team is looking to rebound from a fourth-place finish at the most recent EuroBasket Women tournament.
Philippines as the Opening Opponent
Ranked 39th in the FIBA world rankings, the Philippines presents a relatively manageable opening challenge for the third-ranked French team. However, the French coaching staff acknowledges a lack of familiarity with their opponents. “We’re going a little bit blind,” admitted general manager Céline Dumerc earlier this week.
Head coach Jean-Aimé Toupane emphasized the importance of focusing on the fundamentals. “We’re going to concentrate on ourselves and our fundamentals,” he stated. The team will prioritize executing their game plan and establishing a strong foundation for the remainder of the tournament.
Tournament Format and Remaining Schedule
The qualifying tournament in Villeurbanne is one of four being held globally this week, with other events taking place in Turkey, China, and Puerto Rico. Sixteen teams will ultimately compete in the expanded 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, which will feature sixteen nations – an increase from the previous twelve.
Following the match against the Philippines, France’s schedule includes:
- March 12th: France vs. Colombia
- March 14th: France vs. Germany
- March 16th: France vs. Nigeria
The expanded World Cup format underscores the growing global interest in women’s basketball. France will be aiming to capitalize on its recent Olympic success and secure its place among the world’s elite teams in Germany next year.
The French team is heavily favored to advance, but the tournament promises to be a competitive affair. Fans can expect a high level of play as teams battle for a coveted spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
Next up for France is Wednesday’s matchup against the Philippines. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament.
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