France opened their build-up to the 2027 World Cup with an 87-90 defeat to Nikola Jokic’s Serbia, the home side edging a tight contest in Belgrade after a late France surge cut the gap to three but never quite got them over the line. Jokic finished with 20 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.
It was not the start Victor Wembanyama wanted. Newly handed the captaincy, the star big man was fairly quiet by his standards, even if he flashed the occasional highlight, ending the game with 10 points, two blocks and six turnovers.
Victor Wembanyama today:
10 PTS pic.twitter.com/i04iOvhIhz
— Bala (@BalaPattySZN) August 20, 2026
There is no need to panic. This was his first outing under Frederic Fauthoux and, more importantly, his first official game since the NBA Finals in June. After the game, he gave his take on how it went:
“First impressions? I feel a bit rusty. We are still figuring out how to play with each other, finding our timing. We showed some good things in a lot of areas.” (L’Equipe)
France deserve scrutiny, sure. But Serbia also deserve credit, along with their leader Jokic, who wrapped up the night with 20 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. The Nuggets centre gave France’s defence plenty to think about, and plenty to complain about too.
Nikola Jokić leads Serbia to the win against France in the first of two FIBA World Cup International Friendly matchups!
🇷🇸 20 PTS
🇷🇸 9 REB
🇷🇸 8 AST(via @FIBAWC) pic.twitter.com/c2jOFLuDAw
— NBA (@NBA) August 20, 2026
Afterwards, Jokic spoke about Wembanyama’s ceiling and the enjoyment he gets from going up against him:
“He has the opportunity to be the most unique basketball player we’ve ever seen…. To be the best ever”
Nothing but praise and respect by Nikola Jokic for Victor Wembanyama as a player and a person #FIBAWC #StepItUp pic.twitter.com/nLlJ7Td30x
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) August 20, 2026
A first test for Fauthoux
This was only a friendly, and that is the point: to expose the strengths and flaws in certain players and lineups. On this evidence, France’s familiar issues are still there — turnovers, defensive rebounding and organisation. Even with several point guards in the squad, they struggled to get Wembanyama involved early. Terry Tarpey and Strazel got France’s scoring going in the first quarter after a rough start for Rudy Gobert, who picked up two offensive fouls.
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Those fouls quickly sent Gobert to the bench and, with him gone, the Wembanyama-Gobert pairing was effectively shelved. Even so, Wembanyama at the four does not look like the answer, whether for France or the Spurs. In that role, he is harder for team-mates to find and seems to have a tougher time creating his own shot. Little by little, Serbia pulled away, helped by six turnovers in six minutes, before opening up a 13-point lead in the third quarter. France had no rhythm, no touch and no answer to the Jokic/Nikola Milutinov duo, with Milutinov adding 15 points.
It took individual bursts from Fournier and Ayayi, then a ridiculous banked three from Sylvain Francisco, to drag France back within touching distance in the closing seconds. But Wembanyama missed a step-back three to tie it, and on the final possession Francisco was blocked on his first attempt before missing the follow-up.
Rematch in Lille on Sunday
Not everything from this one should be filed away and forgotten. Gerald Ayayi was excellent with 10 points and four steals, while Amine Noua stood out too with 14 points and five rebounds. The teams meet again in Lille on Sunday, this time with France at home. Tip-off is at 18:00 and, as on Saturday night, the game will be shown on L’Equipe.
Fauthoux will be looking for a few tweaks, and for a sharper Wembanyama, ahead of what should be a good duel with Jokic and Serbia.
Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP
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