Victor Wembanyama Named France Men's Basketball National Team Captain at Age 22
The Spurs star takes over from Rudy Gobert and will lead France in its next two World Cup qualifiers, the team said.
- On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, the French National Team announced Victor Wembanyama as team captain for the fourth qualifying window of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
- Wembanyama assumes the leadership role from Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Guerschon Yabusele, formerly of the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls, who led during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- The San Antonio Spurs star will lead France against Slovenia and Sweden next; he is expected to miss late November games due to NBA responsibilities in San Antonio.
- French national team head coach Frederic Fauthoux said, "Victor is the undisputed leader of this generation," as France currently holds the fourth-best world ranking among international basketball teams.
- Coming off a run to the 2026 NBA Finals, the 22-year-old recently won the first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year award, positioning him as France's present and future leader.
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🏀 Victor #Wembanyama makes his grand return with Les Bleus: named captain, the San Antonio Spurs player rejoins the French #basketball team two years after the 2024 Olympic final, to prepare for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers.
Victor Wembanyama Named Captain Of France For World Cup Qualifiers
Victor Wembanyama was named captain of the French national team Wednesday ahead of the FIBA World Cup European qualifiers. The announcement comes roughly two weeks after the San Antonio Spurs star hosted several teammates in France for offseason workouts. The 22-year-old will lead Team France into friendly games against Serbia, led by Nikola Jokic, on Thursday and Sunday. France then opens its European qualifying campaign at home against Sloveni…
Wembanyama named France captain as star returns to Les Bleus
Victor Wembanyama has been named captain of France for four games in August, marking a new leadership role for the NBA star as he returns to the national team. The 22-year-old will lead a squad featuring veterans Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier in World Cup qualifying.
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