The French U19 men’s team reduces its roster to 13 players one week before the World Cup

The French U19 men’s team is the first to enter competition this summer, with the World Cup taking place in Lausanne, Switzerland. The former assistant coach of the senior national team must do without several key players from the 2006 generation, as Nolan Traore, Joan Beringer and Noa Essengue, the three leaders of this age group, are expected at the Draft the same week.

The staff has reduced its group to 13 players before a double-header against Canada at INSEP to conclude preparation, before the competition begins on Saturday, June 28 against Cameroon. Guards/wings Noah Badibanga, Martin Carrère and Iliam Févry have left the French group, as well as SLUC Nancy’s center Kany N’Kouka (2.13 m, 19 years).

@basketball #insep #france #canada #ffbb Great win for the France U19 national team against Canada!
Talis Soulac led the team with 15 points, including a clutch three-pointer to seal the victory. Soren Bracq added 12 points, as did Marco Fodzo Dada and Noa Kouakou. Thomas Bassong… pic.twitter.com/rV7KbbMskm

— jonathan dogbo (@jdogbo) June 21, 2025

In the first game against Canada this Saturday, June 21, the French team won 87-81 with Talis Soulhac scoring 15 points. Sohan Mendy and Gabin Lefort, in street clothes, did not play, while Timéo Pons, though dressed, did not enter the game. It remains to be seen who will be the last cut.

The French U19 team less than a week before the World Cup starts:

• Point Guards: Talis Soulhac and Marc-Owen Fodzo Dada
• Shooting Guards: Soren Bracq (U18), Léon Sifferlin and Yohan Sissoko
• Small Forwards: Thomas Bassong and Mohamed Diakite
• Power Forwards: Noa Kouakou-Heugue (U18), Japhet Moupadele, Timéo Pons and Gabin Lefort
• Centers: Mohamed Sankhé and Sohann Mendy