Wembanyama Still Sore at Spain After France’s World Cup Exit

A Funny Comment at Fanatics Fest

Victor Wembanyama is a famous basketball player from France. He seems to still be upset with Spain because Spain knocked his home country, France, out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup (the biggest soccer tournament in the world).

When someone asked him on Saturday at a fun fan event called Fanatics Fest in New York:

• Would Spain or Argentina win the World Cup?
• Wembanyama said: "I hope neither."

The World Cup Final Details

Spain and Argentina are getting ready to play the final match (the last and most important game) of the World Cup.

• The game is on Sunday.
• It starts at 3 p.m. ET (Eastern Time in the U.S.).
• It will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

How France Did in the Tournament

France did not get to play for the championship. Here is what happened:

• France lost to Spain in the semifinal (a game to decide who goes to the final) by a score of 2–0.
• Then, on Saturday, France played England for third place and lost 6–4.

Important Point: France is completely out of the 2026 World Cup after those two losses.

France’s Future Soccer Hopes

Kylian Mbappé is a superstar French soccer player who is now also out of the World Cup race. Because of that:

• Wembanyama might be France’s best shot at winning another World Cup sometime in the future.

Wembanyama Returns to Basketball for France

Right after his “I hope neither” comment, some big basketball news came out.

The French Basketball Federation (the group that runs basketball in France) said Wembanyama will join France’s national basketball team. Their goal is to qualify for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup (a big international basketball tournament).

Here is what we know:

• Wembanyama plays for the San Antonio Spurs (a team in the NBA, which is the top basketball league in the U.S.).
• On Saturday, he was named to France’s national team.
• He will play two qualifying matches for the 2027 World Cup in August.

Who Else Is on the Team?

Wembanyama will not be alone. The French roster also includes:

• Rudy Gobert, who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves (another NBA team).
• Evan Fournier, who used to play in the NBA.

They are scheduled to:

1. Play two friendly games (practice matches) against Serbia in mid-August.
2. Play a qualifying game against Slovenia in Paris (the capital of France).
3. Travel to Sweden for their second qualifier of the month.

A Look Back at Wembanyama’s Last Time Representing France

This is the first time Wembanyama will wear his country’s colors since the 2024 Paris Olympics.

• At those Olympics, France made it all the way to the gold medal game (the final).
• They lost to the United States and took home the silver medal instead.

France’s Qualifying Record So Far

France is doing well in trying to reach the 2027 World Cup:

• They have a record of 5 wins and 1 loss.
• That puts them in first place in Group L.
• The 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup will start in August 2027 in Doha, Qatar.

Important Point: France is currently leading its group and is in a good position to qualify for the 2027 tournament.

Summary

Victor Wembanyama joked that he hopes neither Spain nor Argentina wins the 2026 soccer World Cup because Spain eliminated France. France lost to Spain 2–0 and then to England 6–4 to finish third. With Mbappé out, Wembanyama may be France’s future soccer hope. On the basketball side, Wembanyama is back on France’s national team for the first time since the 2024 Olympics. He will join Gobert and Fournier for friendlies vs. Serbia and qualifiers vs. Slovenia and Sweden. France leads its qualifying group with a 5–1 record for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar.

FAQ

Q1: What is the FIFA World Cup?
A1: It is the biggest international soccer tournament where countries compete to be the best in the world. In this story, it refers to the 2026 edition.

Q2: What is the FIBA Basketball World Cup?
A2: It is like the soccer World Cup but for basketball. National teams from around the world play to be the best. The next one is in 2027 in Qatar.

Q3: Why is Wembanyama upset with Spain?
A3: Because Spain beat France 2–0 in the semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicked France out of the chance to win.

Q4: When was the last time Wembanyama played for France before this?
A4: At the 2024 Paris Olympics, where France won the silver medal after losing the final to the United States.

Q5: What games will Wembanyama play for France in August?
A5: Two friendlies against Serbia, a qualifier against Slovenia in Paris, and a qualifier against Sweden.