Les Bleues Unbeaten: France Secures FIBA World Cup 2026 Qualification with Victory Over South Korea in Villeurbanne
The French women's national basketball team, affectionately known as "Les Bleues," has flawlessly concluded their FIBA World Cup 2026 qualification tournament in Villeurbanne. After a strong performance against Nigeria, they cemented their undefeated status by overcoming South Korea with a score of 89-62. Marine Johannès was a standout player, delivering an exceptional performance with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.
The match against South Korea presented an initial challenge for the French squad, who found themselves trailing 2-10 early in the game. However, Marine Johannès quickly ignited her team with a series of crucial three-pointers, enabling Les Bleues to seize the lead. They maintained a slim advantage heading into halftime (32-31), largely propelled by the tireless efforts of captain Valériane Ayayi.
Following the break, Johannès continued her impressive scoring run, sinking multiple three-pointers to extend Les Bleues' lead to a comfortable double-digit margin (43-33). Despite the South Koreans' determined resistance, which saw them periodically narrow the deficit, the assertive offense from Leïla Lacan and pivotal contributions from Valériane Ayayi in the final quarter allowed France to definitively pull away (79-60). Demonstrating remarkable accuracy from beyond the arc (12/24 from three-point range), Les Bleues confidently controlled the remainder of the game. This impeccable qualifying campaign sends a clear message: the French team is approaching the 2026 World Cup with significant ambitions.
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