Victor Wembanyama Named French National Team Captain for FIBA World Cup Qualifying

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama will captain Team France in their bid for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.

The French national team announced Wednesday that Wembanyama will serve in the role during the squad's fourth qualifying window.

Wembanyama is now set to lead his team into friendlies against Serbia Aug. 20 and 23, followed by qualifiers against Slovenia Aug. 27 and Sweden Aug. 30.

France was captained by the Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert during qualifying windows earlier this summer.

Wembanyama, who turned 22 in January, previously helped lead France to a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The news of his promotion to captain comes after France national coach Frédéric Fauthoux called Wembanyama "the undisputed leader of this generation" when naming him to the latest qualifying roster.

"This window is a good opportunity to experience this new chapter with the coaching staff as captain," Wembanyama said, per FIBA. "It's probably earlier than I expected, and likely earlier than everyone else expected. But it's not rushed either.

"I'm honored and excited. I wasn't expecting it until Freddy told me, but it's a great honor."

Wembanyama has been present in Paris this summer while hosting multiple teammates for training.

The first qualifying match between France and Slovenia will take place in the city at Bercy Arena.

France is 8-6 in all-time matchups against Slovenia, most recently claiming a 103-95 win despite missing Wembanyama against a team featuring Luka Dončić in the group stage of the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket tournament.

Dončić said earlier this summer he will not be representing Slovenia during the upcoming qualifying window.

Wembanyama and Team France will then travel to play Sweden three days later at Stockholm's Avicii Arena.

France boasts a 10-0 all-time record against Sweden, although the two teams haven't officially played since 1997.

Wembanyama will have about a month after that matchup before the Spurs start training camp. San Antonio is set to tip off the regular season Oct. 20 with an opening-night matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.