Team USA fans are already keeping a close eye on France.

France has announced a strong, WNBA-heavy initial squad for the upcoming FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. The tournament is set to begin on September 4 in Berlin, Germany.

France has not named its final 12-player roster yet. But the eight WNBA players already selected are Carla Leite (Portland Fire), Leila Lacan (Connecticut Sun), Valeriane Ayayi (Phoenix Mercury), and Janelle Salaun (Golden State Valkyries).

The list also includes Gabby Williams (Golden State Valkyries), Pauline Astier and Marine Johannes (New York Liberty), and Seattle Storm's star center Dominique Malonga, per Yahoo Sports on X.

That group is expected to arrive in France and Germany on different days. The French team will then fill the final four spots after two exhibition games against Italy on Aug. 27 and Aug. 28.

France left the 2024 Paris Olympics with a silver medal after a heartbreaking, one-point loss to the United States. Williams, Ayayi, and Malonga were all part of that Olympic squad.

This preliminary roster is already very impressive. And players like Marieme Badiane, Migna Toure, Romane Bernies, and Alexia Chery are among those competing for those final four spots.

Team USA, meanwhile, already announced its own 12-player roster on August 6.

It includes names like Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever), Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings), Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever), Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx), and Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury).

Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces), Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream), Kelsey Plum (Phoenix Mercury), Angel Reese (Atlanta Dream), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces), and Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces) are also present in this group.

Copper, Gray, Plum, Stewart, and Wilson are back to defend the World Cup title that Team USA won in 2022. The other seven players will be making their World Cup debuts in Germany.

Team USA fans are worried about France's roster

The history between these two basketball powerhouses is already thrilling.

"Team France is gonna be a problem in the FIBA World Cup. They are super stacked," wrote one fan on X.

France nearly pulled off the ultimate upset in Paris two years ago, pushing the USA to the final buzzer. Now, Les Bleues are chasing their first World Cup podium finish since 1953, and they have the talent to do it.

"Definitely a strong team. Always love watching France play," added another fan.

The reason for this excitement is simple. France is no longer relying only on standard international experience. They are bringing a rotation packed with active WNBA athletes who play alongside and against American players every week.

One fan singled out Dominique Malonga with a warning, "This is a very different Malonga than 2024 Paris Olympics."

At the 2024 Olympics, Dominique Malonga was the youngest player on France's team.

But now, in her 2026 WNBA season, Malonga is averaging 17 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. She's shooting nearly 31% from three-point range and has earned her first All-Star selection this year.

"They are coming for that World Cup!" another fan flat-out commented.

What makes France even scarier is the talent they left behind.

As one fan observed: "France could have selected even more players currently in the WNBA, but the world is about to discover new talents who will likely be drafted or signed next season, as the country boasts the best talent pool outside the US."

Proven guards like Marine Fauthoux were left off to make room for rising stars like Carla Leite.

Written by

Md Saife Fida