{"id":511752,"date":"2026-08-26T15:37:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T13:37:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/?p=511752"},"modified":"2026-08-26T15:56:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T13:56:19","slug":"victor-wembanyama-the-world-cup-is-important-because-it-is-a-title-we-have-never-won","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/victor-wembanyama-the-world-cup-is-important-because-it-is-a-title-we-have-never-won\/","title":{"rendered":"Victor Wembanyama: \u201cThe World Cup is important because it is a title we have never won\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-1\" dir=\"auto\" tabindex=\"0\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"226b4247-ad3a-4c5e-88a2-8a3107dcfb07\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-6\" data-turn-start-message=\"true\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\">\n<p data-start=\"235\" data-end=\"673\">Victor Wembanyama spoke to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lequipe.fr\/Basket\/Actualites\/Victor-wembanyama-sur-son-rapport-a-l-equipe-de-france-un-projet-qui-se-compte-pour-moi-en-annees-meme-en-dizaines-d-annees\/1713645\"><em data-start=\"262\" data-end=\"272\">L\u2019\u00c9quipe<\/em><\/a> ahead of France\u2019s upcoming international challenges, discussing his new responsibilities as captain of the national team, his ambitions with Les Bleus and the importance of next year\u2019s FIBA World Cup. The San Antonio Spurs star also reflected on his connection to Paris, the lessons learned from his leadership experience in the NBA and his willingness to play at power forward alongside Rudy Gobert.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"235\" data-end=\"673\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DcgXD99iK-F\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\">\n<div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DcgXD99iK-F\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/p>\n<div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">Visualizza questo post su Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DcgXD99iK-F\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">Un post condiviso da Sportando (@sportando)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"675\" data-end=\"797\"><strong data-start=\"675\" data-end=\"797\">What kind of legacy do you want to leave with the French national team? How important is next year\u2019s World Cup to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"799\" data-end=\"1222\">What everyone is looking for is titles. We have seen in recent years that French basketball can grow and that we have potential, with the youth teams and player development. These are long-term projects on which I intend to have an impact. The World Cup is important because it is a title we have never won. And even if we had won it, I would still want to win it. It is also a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1224\" data-end=\"1294\"><strong data-start=\"1224\" data-end=\"1294\">Does this comeback bring back memories of the Paris 2024 Olympics?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1296\" data-end=\"1506\">Not really. The arena is different, unrecognizable. The lighting is not the same, the stands are different, the court is different. It feels like a completely different arena. We\u2019ll see when the fans are there.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1508\" data-end=\"1608\"><strong data-start=\"1508\" data-end=\"1608\">How much do you try to share your connection to Paris and the region with the people around you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1610\" data-end=\"2003\">It\u2019s important. It\u2019s something I\u2019m proud of, and I try to show it to those who don\u2019t know much about it, or don\u2019t know it at all. My teammates with the Spurs, for example, who came to the capital at the beginning of August. Whenever I get the opportunity, which hasn\u2019t happened very often, to return to where I come from, I do it. Those are quality hours. Hours, and unfortunately rarely days.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2005\" data-end=\"2164\"><strong data-start=\"2005\" data-end=\"2164\">You have recently become captain of the French national team. What kind of captain do you want to be? What message do you want to convey to your teammates?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2166\" data-end=\"2530\">These are questions that aren\u2019t really problems: I have confidence in who I am and in what I can bring to a collective, both athletically and philosophically. In a project that, for me, is measured in years, even decades, it is something that will happen with time. It\u2019s important not to skip steps. The goal is to get closer every day to the captain I want to be.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2532\" data-end=\"2670\"><strong data-start=\"2532\" data-end=\"2670\">Can your experience as a leader with the San Antonio Spurs translate to the national team? Have you made mistakes that could help you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2672\" data-end=\"2964\"><em data-start=\"2672\" data-end=\"2688\">(He whispers.)<\/em> If I\u2019ve made mistakes? Yes, I\u2019ve made mistakes. It would take hours to summarize the experience I\u2019ve gained. Coaching plays a huge role in going far in the playoffs, as does the quality of the players, but also the players\u2019 willingness to sacrifice and execute the game plan.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2966\" data-end=\"3088\"><strong data-start=\"2966\" data-end=\"3088\">What kind of legacy do you want to leave with the French national team? How important is next year\u2019s World Cup to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3090\" data-end=\"3603\">What everyone is looking for is titles. We have seen in recent years that French basketball can grow and that we have potential, with the youth teams and player development. These are long-term projects on which I intend to have an impact. The World Cup is important because it is a title we have never won. And even if we had won it, I would still want to win it. It is also a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. <em data-start=\"3514\" data-end=\"3603\">(The two best European nations at the 2027 World Cup will qualify for Los Angeles, ed.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3605\" data-end=\"3689\"><strong data-start=\"3605\" data-end=\"3689\">You will face Slovenia on Thursday without Luka Don\u010di\u0107. Is that better or worse?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3691\" data-end=\"3980\">There will be discussions like that, but that\u2019s not the mindset we have. I don\u2019t ask myself whether it\u2019s better or worse. From a competitive standpoint, deep down, I\u2019m disappointed that I won\u2019t get to play against him. The opportunity will come many more times. I\u2019m not worried about that.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3982\" data-end=\"4109\"><strong data-start=\"3982\" data-end=\"4109\">With the French national team, you have the opportunity to play at power forward. How different is it, and do you enjoy it?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4111\" data-end=\"4458\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">The difference is fairly obvious: the power forward position is a little more passive, although it depends on the type of player. I enjoy playing with Rudy <em data-start=\"4267\" data-end=\"4277\">(Gobert)<\/em>, with Bigs of that level defensively. It puts me in unusual situations, like throwing lobs. I really enjoy doing that. You have to experiment; we will need it in the years to come.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"pointer-events-none -mb-px h-px w-full opacity-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The France captain spoke to L\u2019\u00c9quipe about his leadership, the 2027 World Cup, his connection to Paris and his role with the national team<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":145,"featured_media":510513,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_spbk_hide_featured":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[369,399,383],"tags":[],"rumors":[],"typology":[],"posizionamento":[],"class_list":["post-511752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national-teams","category-nba","category-world-cup"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/08\/Victor-Wembanyama-FIBA-1.jpeg","digistream_id":0,"digistream":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/511752","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/145"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=511752"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/511752\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/510513"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=511752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=511752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=511752"},{"taxonomy":"rumors","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rumors?post=511752"},{"taxonomy":"typology","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/typology?post=511752"},{"taxonomy":"posizionamento","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posizionamento?post=511752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}