SERBIA – FRANCE: An Unforgettable Arena Spectacle: Eagles vs. Les Bleus, Jokić vs. Wemby!

Pulse Sports Team 16:56 - 20 August 2026

The Serbian national basketball team plays a friendly match against France at 8 PM CET in the Arena. Follow the live coverage of this encounter on Sportal.

Victor Wembanyama Arrives in Belgrade, Stirring Up a Frenzy
Serbia to Debut New Jerseys Against France
Wemby to Captain France for the First Time in History

Serbia vs. France (Tip-off at 8:00 PM CET)

Match Preview

The Serbian national basketball team is set to face France in a friendly match this Thursday at 8:00 PM CET in the Belgrade Arena.

Beyond the fierce rivalry between these two elite European squads, the Belgrade crowd will witness a direct clash between two of the world's best players: Nikola Jokić on one side and Victor Wembanyama on the other.

Where to Watch the Game?

Basketball fans in Serbia can catch this spectacle live on TV, as the Serbia vs. France game will be broadcast on RTS 1 and Arena Premium 3.

Warm-up for World Cup Qualifiers and Orleans Rematch

This encounter serves as an ideal test and a prelude to the upcoming 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Serbia will host Iceland in Belgrade on August 28th, followed by an away game against Italy in Pesaro on August 31st.

Before these official matches, the Eagles will play another friendly against France in Orleans on Sunday, August 23rd.

Serbian head coach Dušan Alimpijević emphasized that the national team enters this game with its strongest available roster and a clear desire to win.

- The result against France is extremely important to us. We want to win every game, especially against France. Friendly matches help us integrate players who weren't with us in previous windows in the best possible way, - Alimpijević stated.

Superstar Showdown: Jokić vs. Wemby (with Gober on the Bench)

France arrives in Belgrade with a formidable squad, led by new captain Victor Wembanyama, along with seasoned NBA star Rudy Gobert and EuroLeague standout Evan Fournier.

Wembanyama and Jokić last met in national team colors in July 2024 in Lyon, where Serbia triumphed 79-67. Jokić recorded 20 points and 12 rebounds in that game, while Wembanyama contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Fans in the Belgrade Arena can expect a top-tier basketball spectacle and an excellent warm-up for the challenges awaiting the Serbian national team in their quest for World Cup qualification.