Frédéric Fauthoux understands Victor Wembanyama’s absence and hopes to see him again in 2027

Victor Wembanyama‘s absence at EuroBasket 2025 weighed heavily in France’s early elimination. Defeated by Georgia (80-70) in the round of 16 in Riga, the French team sorely missed their 21-year-old star, who was sidelined due to thrombosis that had already cut short his 2024-2026 NBA season with San Antonio.

« If I had been in Victor’s entourage, I would have also advised him not to come this summer »

Speaking on Super Moscato Show Friday on RMC, head coach Frédéric Fauthoux made a surprising admission regarding the absence of the Spurs center. « Honestly, if I had been in Victor’s entourage, I would have also advised him not to come this summer. He hasn’t had any issues during the year, he has a super important season in the NBA but also personally, » revealed the French coach.

The Parisian, who was instrumental in winning the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, must indeed renegotiate his next contract in 2026, a deal that observers predict will be massive.

Hope for a return at the 2027 World Cup

Despite this absence that handicapped the French team, who were also missing other key players (Strazel, Fournier, Gobert, Lessort, Poirier etc.), Frédéric Fauthoux remains hopeful about having Wembanyama back on the national team in the future. It will be necessary for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar (August 27 to September 12), which qualifies for the Los Angeles Olympics: « Every time I talk to him on the phone, he assures me that he wants to come, that he’s eager and that wearing the French national team jersey is important to him. I’m going to believe him. We maintain regular contact with him. »

🗣💬 Frédéric Fauthoux, sélectionneur des Bleus : « À chaque fois que je l’ai au téléphone, Victor Wembanyama me garantit qu’il veut venir pour la Coupe du monde 2027. Il en a envie. C’est important pour lui de porter le maillot de l’équipe de France. » pic.twitter.com/apzthvbFT3

— Super Moscato Show (@Moscato_Show) September 12, 2025

However, uncertainty remains for upcoming international competitions. « Unfortunately, we have no guarantees of any of this because of the NBA and players’ choices, » admitted Frédéric Fauthoux, aware of the constraints facing stars playing across the Atlantic. The French team will have to deal with these realities to find their way back to international podiums.