Finishing third at the 2019 FIBA ​​World Cup, Vincent Collet’s Blues will start the 2023 World Cup in Group H alongside Canada, Latvia and Lebanon.

Heavy from the first round of the 2023 Basketball World Cup for the French team. Vincent Collet’s men, Olympic runners-up and bronze medalist at the last World Championships in China in 2019, inherited Canada, Latvia and Lebanon in Group H.

Heading for a second round with the Spaniards?

The French begin the competition on August 25 in Jakarta, Indonesia, against Canada with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder) and RJ Barett (New York Knicks) before continuing against Latvia with Kristaps Porzingis (Washington Wizards). August 27th. Finally, on August 29, the Blues will wrap up the first round against Lebanon, the little thumb of the group.

In case of qualification, the French team stays in Jakarta and meets the two best formations of Group G, which notably includes their main rival: Spain. A game that would sound like revenge for Vincent Collet and his men, as they lost to La Roja (88-76) in the Eurobasket 2022 final.

With Wembanyama but uncertainty for Embiid?

With the arrival of all-time favorite Victor Wembanyama as the first pick of the 2023 NBA draft, it could be game-changing. On the other hand, there is little chance that Joël Embiid, Cameroonian and naturalized citizen since a few months, will be part of Asia, as Vincent Collet explained: “He trusted Boris Diaw (manager of de France) for a very short time and he is always still hesitant in his thinking.

Among the other posters that will be remembered in this first round of the 2023 FIBA ​​World Cup is the clash between the USA, potential opponents of the Blues in the semifinals, and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Greece in Group C in Manila (Philippines). and the Group E clash between Germany and Australia, to be played in Okinawa, Japan.

The competition will take place from August 25th to September 10th in three different countries: the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. This is the first time that the organization of the competition is split between several countries.