France reaches first Women's World Cup final after dominant win over host Germany

France dismantled host Germany 86-64 in front of 12,650 fans at Berlin Arena, booking a first-ever ticket to the final in the history of the French women's national team. The win came in the semifinals of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026, a stage neither France nor Germany had ever reached since it was introduced back in 1986.

The result also ended a 73-year wait for a medal. France last stood on the World Cup podium at the tournament's inaugural 1953 edition, when the Bleues won bronze in Chile. Whatever happens Sunday, that drought is now over.

Williams' monster night powers a historic breakthrough

Gabby Williams was named TCL Player of the Game after finishing with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals, good for a performance efficiency valuation of 31. The showing pushed her career World Cup scoring total to 187 points, moving her past FIBA Hall of Famer Céline Dumerc to become France's third all-time leading scorer in the competition's history.

Janelle Salaün backed her up with a double-double, contributing 14 points and 11 rebounds to the winning effort. Together, the pair set the tone for a French collective that had already scored more than 90 points in each of its four previous games at this tournament.

Germany, for its part, had been building momentum of its own. The hosts recovered from a 30-point opening loss to Spain to reach the semifinals, scoring more than 90 points in each of their last two games before facing France. Coach Olaf Lange had spoken of "German basketball's best day" after the quarterfinal win over European champion Belgium, but that surge stopped short against a French defense playing for a place in history.

A suffocating defense decides the game before Sunday's title shot

The turning point of the semifinal was written in the turnover column. France committed just 7 turnovers across the entire game, an exceptionally low number for a contest of this magnitude, while forcing Germany into 25 giveaways as the French defense turned the screw. It happened in front of 12,650 fans at Berlin Arena.

Germany's dogged resistance was not enough to keep pace with a French side that controlled the game. The 22-point margin reflected a rare combination for France: elite scoring punch from Williams and Salaün, paired with a defense that denied Germany any rhythm on offense.

France now knows it will leave Berlin with at least a silver medal, its best-ever World Cup finish. The Bleues will learn their final opponent after the second semifinal, played later Saturday between the United States and Spain, with the United States entering as the four-time defending champion and tournament favorite. The final is set for Sunday, with France chasing a first world title to match its first-ever appearance on this stage.