By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
France will be without one of its biggest stars for the upcoming 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, as Evan Fournier has officially withdrawn from the national team due to physical and mental fatigue following a demanding season with Olympiacos.
The French Basketball Federation (FFBB) announced that head coach Frédéric Fauthoux has called up Gérald Ayayi to replace the veteran guard for the July qualification window, during which France will face Belgium on July 3 in Antwerp and Finland on July 6 in Pau.
Fournier enjoyed one of the most successful stretches of his career in recent weeks, leading Olympiacos to the EuroLeague title before helping the Piraeus club capture the Greek championship. The 33-year-old was named MVP of both the EuroLeague Final Four in Athens and the Greek League Finals against Panathinaikos.
Despite previously reaffirming his commitment to Les Bleus ahead of the road toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Fournier decided he needed time to recover after an emotionally and physically draining finish to the season.
“I contacted Frédéric Fauthoux to inform him that I would be withdrawing from the World Cup qualifying matches in July,” Fournier said in a statement released by the federation.
“The season with Olympiacos, and particularly these last few weeks, between the EuroLeague Final Four and the league finals against Panathinaikos, have been very demanding, both physically and mentally.”
“Despite my desire to rejoin the French national team and be part of the project to qualify for the 2027 World Cup and then the 2028 Olympic Games, I felt that my physical and mental health did not allow me to join the squad next week and perform at my best.”
“I regret having to withdraw just days before the training camp, but I hope to rejoin the group in August if Freddy decides to call me up.”
Ayayi, who plays for Cholet Basket, will take Fournier’s place in the 16-man squad. The 24-year-old earned four caps with the national team during the previous international windows and was one of the standout performers in the French league this season, averaging 14 points, four rebounds and three assists per game. He was also named the Betclic Elite’s Most Improved Player.
Fournier’s absence adds to a growing list of unavailable French players. Victor Wembanyama and Isaïa Cordinier are already out for the July window, while Alexandre Sarr was recently ruled out after suffering a fractured right foot during training in the United States.
Following Sarr’s injury, Fauthoux turned to Valencia Basket center Neal Sako. The 27-year-old big man, who helped Valencia reach the EuroLeague Final Four this season, is currently competing in the ACB Finals against Barcelona and will join the national team once the series concludes. Sako earned his first two senior caps during the February 2025 EuroBasket qualifying window and played an important role in victories over Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
France will begin its training camp in Pau on June 22 before opening the World Cup qualifying campaign against Belgium in Antwerp on July 3. Three days later, Les Bleus will host Finland in Pau, with the coaching staff selecting 12 players from the 16-man roster for each game.
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