Basketball: Victor Wembanyama Speaks Freely Ahead of France-Slovenia Match

Wednesday 26 August 2026 - 13:35

A few hours before a new meeting with the French team, Victor Wembanyama delivered a speech marked by growing confidence. Meeting with the press in Bercy, the captain of the French team discussed his relationship with public speaking, as well as his attachment to a venue that holds a special place in his history with the national team.

A Voice That Is Freeing Up

Victor Wembanyama is now more open about his thoughts. As his experience grows, the French player seems less concerned about controlling every word he says in front of the media. This evolution is something he openly acknowledges, as the French team prepares to return to international competition.

This newfound freedom also accompanies his status. Having become one of the central figures of the French team, Wembanyama no longer just represents the future of French basketball: he now occupies a leadership position within the group.

"I have less and less filter or fear of saying what I think," he explained to reporters, setting the tone for a press conference where the player displayed a certain serenity.

Bercy, A Return Full of Memories

Before looking ahead to the game, the captain of the French team also spoke about his return to Bercy. The Parisian venue holds a special significance for him, particularly due to its association with the French team’s meetings.

However, the contrast with the Olympic Games is striking. The arena, profoundly transformed since that time, appeared almost unrecognizable to him. Lighting, stands, and layout have changed, giving the place a different atmosphere from what he experienced during previous major events.

But beyond the material transformations, the attachment remains. For Wembanyama, Bercy is still intimately linked to the recent history of the French team and the joy of being able to play again in front of the French audience.

Two Matches That Matter for 2027

The French team is now facing two qualifying matches for the 2027 World Cup, with Slovenia as the next opponent. For Wembanyama, these encounters should not be seen as mere steps in a long-term preparation.

The context gives these matches special importance. Qualification is based on the present and requires players to remain fully focused on immediate challenges.

The French captain believes that the team should focus more on current objectives rather than on a distant challenge. This approach reflects the group’s desire to take these matches seriously while maintaining a sense of enthusiasm.

A Captain Who Is Growing

This press conference also illustrates Wembanyama's evolution within the national team. Just a few years into his career at the highest level, the Frenchman seems to be gradually taking ownership of his leadership role.

His speech now blends collective ambition, reflection on his media exposure, and attachment to the national team. A maturity that naturally accompanies the growing importance of the player in the French team's project.

Against Slovenia, the stakes will be twofold: to advance on the road to the 2027 World Cup and to confirm, on the court, this new dimension displayed by their captain.