The French Basketball Federation has officially announced the final 12-player roster for the upcoming FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in Berlin, Germany, from September 4 to September 13, 2026. Head coach Jean-Aimé Toupane and general manager Céline Dumerc finalized the selection following a ten-day training camp at INSEP, opting for a blend of veteran experience and emerging talent as Les Bleues chase their first World Cup medal since the inaugural tournament in 1953.
Roster Construction and Selection Timeline
The coaching staff initially named the first eight players—representing a 100% WNBA contingent—on Monday, August 24, before rounding out the 12-player squad with the final four selections on Saturday, August 29. The final group leans heavily on continuity, retaining eight players from the squad that claimed the silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The 12 selected players span two primary positional groups:
- Backcourt: Pauline Astier, Romane Bernies, Marine Johannès, Leïla Lacan, Carla Leite, Migna Touré
- Frontcourt: Gabby Williams, Janelle Salaün, Valériane Ayayi, Marième Badiane, Aminata Gueye, Dominique Malonga
Meanwhile, Romane Bernies secured her spot at the point guard position, maintaining her presence in the national setup since 2023.
Tournament Context and Group B Schedule
The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 marks the 20th edition of the global showcase, bringing 16 national teams to Berlin. France has been drawn into Group B for the preliminary round, where they will face the following opponents in the group stage:
- Friday, September 4, 2026 (21:00 UTC+2): France vs. Hungary
- Saturday, September 5, 2026 (20:45 UTC+2): France vs. South Korea
- Monday, September 7, 2026 (14:30 UTC+2): France vs. Nigeria
The broader 16-team tournament field also features host Germany alongside Belgium, the United States, Australia, Spain, China, Italy, Mali, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Japan, and Puerto Rico.
Preparation Logistics and Roster Adjustments
Jean-Aimé Toupane’s squad enters the tournament facing a compressed preparation timeline. Leïla Lacan integrated into the training group early, while Valériane Ayayi, Janelle Salaün, Gabby Williams, Pauline Astier, and Marine Johannès rejoined the team subsequently. Carla Leite and Dominique Malonga are scheduled to meet up directly with the squad in Germany.
The roster announcement also reflected notable absences due to injuries and prior commitments. Alexia Chery was ruled out of the World Cup following an official announcement on August 25, while Iliana Rupert was previously sidelined for the campaign, forcing the coaching staff to adapt their frontcourt depth.
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