Has France Won a Basketball World Cup?

By Fan Arch July 25, 2024 12:27

Photo by Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters

Historically, France has underperformed at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Although the team is now ranked in the world's top five by FIBA, France has only qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup nine times and featured at the tournament once between 1967 and 2005.

This lack of consistent participation at the World Cup has been a major obstacle for France's quest to claim the prestigious Naismith Trophy. The team has struggled to establish a strong, sustained presence on the global stage, often failing to capitalize on its wealth of talent and potential.

Recent Signs of Improvement

Thankfully, in recent years, the French team has begun to show signs of regular contention at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. After all, they've claimed the bronze medal in the last two competitions (2014 and 2019).

This recent success has provided a glimmer of hope for French basketball fans, who have long yearned for their national team to reach the pinnacle of international competition. With an established core of NBA and Euro League players and a generational talent like Victor Wembanyama looming, France hopes these recent good performances are a sign of even greater things to come.

France's Road to the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup

Dominant Qualifying Campaign

France qualified for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup edition with a perfect home record in four different arenas across France. The team topped both qualification groups and only lost two games out of 12, both on the road to two Balkan nations.

France began the qualification process in Group E alongside Montenegro, Hungary, and Portugal. The side won five of its six games during this qualifying phase, losing only a tricky away game against second-placed Montenegro by a single point.

After topping the group, France advanced to the second round of qualifying. They competed in Group K alongside Lithuania, Montenegro, Hungary, Czechia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. More blowout wins followed for France, with the side's only additional loss coming against Bosnia and Herzegovina in double overtime.

Ultimately, they topped Group K with 22 points, equalling the best qualifying record (10-2) across Europe, alongside Germany in Group J. They also dealt heavy defeats, including a 92-56 triumph over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the return fixture.

France's Disappointing 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Campaign

Underperformance Despite Expectations

Without question, France had the most disappointing FIBA World Cup 2023 campaign when expectations are considered. A third-quarter capitulation to Canada on Gameday 1 ended up in a 95-65 defeat, followed by an 86-88 loss to Latvia. With Olympic qualification already assured, the following three wins when the pressure was off did little to appease the passionate Les Bleus fans.

Had Victor Wembanyama been available to play, the outcome may have been different for France, and they will be hoping to add his unique talent to the Olympic roster following his rookie NBA season with the San Antonio Spurs.

While France has yet to claim the coveted FIBA Basketball World Cup title, the team's recent performances suggest that the long-awaited breakthrough may be on the horizon. With a talented roster, a strong basketball culture, and the potential addition of generational talent, Victor Wembanyama, France will be a force to be reckoned with in future World Cup competitions. The passionate French fans will eagerly await the day when their national team can finally hoist the Naismith Trophy and cement their place among the basketball elite.

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