Why Rudy Gobert is not playing the Sweden – France game
Rudy Gobert (34 years old) is missing from this trip to Sweden. The Minnesota Timberwolves center is suffering from a “slight muscle issue”. The French Basketball Federation confirmed the news on X this Sunday at 3:18 PM: “Due to a slight muscle issue, and as a precaution, Rudy Gobert will not take part in the game against Sweden.”
Du fait d’une légère gêne musculaire, et par mesure de précaution, Rudy Gobert ne participera pas à la rencontre face à la Suède 🇸🇪.#PassionnémentBleu | #TeamFranceBasket | #FIBAWC | #SWEFRA pic.twitter.com/IncvPlxG4a
— Équipes de France de Basket (@FRABasketball) August 30, 2026
A shaken-up starting five
This last-minute absence shuffles the lineup that was initially planned. Amine Noua moved into the starting lineup at power forward in place of Jaylen Hoard, while Maxime Raynaud became the second-choice center and Victor Wembanyama was given more responsibility in the first half.
The French center’s absence comes at a pivotal moment in the 2027 World Cup qualifying campaign. The French team has won six of its first seven games, including a convincing win over Slovenia (92-67) this Thursday at Bercy. The two-time Olympic silver medalist had put up 9 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in 18 minutes.
Meeting in Stockholm
The Sweden-France game started at 5:30 PM in the Swedish capital. At halftime, both teams are tied: 38 apiece. Rudy Gobert is indeed with the French team, but in a polo shirt on the Blues’ bench.
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