Team USA isn’t the only juggernaut commanding the spotlight at the 2026 FIBA World Cup, as France just bagged a massive 111-56 blowout win. France’s undefeated squad, loaded with world-class talent, has marched into the quarterfinals with serious ambitions of dethroning the Americans. Leading France’s title pursuit is Gabby Williams, who added to her standout tournament by reaching a major personal milestone in Monday’s clash against Nigeria, while Team France broke a FIBA record in the process as well.

France put on an absolute shooting masterclass to wrap up group play undefeated, lighting up Berlin Arena by knocking down a record-setting 22 shots from beyond the arc. Gabby Williams became the first French player ever to sink six three-pointers in a Women’s World Cup game. She finished the night with a game-high 25 points, shooting 8-of-12 from the floor and 6-of-8 from three-point range, alongside six rebounds and four assists to defeat Nigeria. PopBase posted on X about France’s record three-point shooting performance as well as Williams’ individual achievement.

Williams reflected on her team’s performance, hinting that something has shifted within the French camp.

“The French has always had a great talent, but I think the culture has changed. Jean-Aime, our coach, really wants to push us on playing hard. He doesn’t care how talented we are. If you’re not giving your all on the court, then you’re going to come out. We don’t care what the score is. We don’t care who we’re playing against. We always have to bring the same energy,” Williams said after the game, per FIBA.

Williams wasn’t the only player on the French roster who couldn’t seem to miss beyond the arc. Veteran Marine Johannes dropped five three-pointers, while Migna Toure and Janelle Salaun added four more each. While their three-point efficiency remained at 55%, the score was enough to dominate Team Nigeria.

For Gabby Williams and France, this performance against Nigeria is a sign of what is yet to come.

“This group, this team, I think, is on a whole other level,” she said.

“We have a lot of talent coming off the bench, so there’s no excuse for us to not give our all. No one is out here playing 30 or 40 minutes. We just have to give our all and know that the intensity won’t drop,” Williams added.

Well, the intensity has not dropped for Gabby Williams this season, either in the World Cup or with the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA.

Williams earned her first All-Star starter nod this season, averaging 14.3 points and 1.6 steals while helping Golden State clinch a playoff berth. She is averaging 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game this season.

Williams ranks 22nd in the league in three-pointers made per game, at 1.7, while ranking eighth in steals, highlighting that she has transitioned into a premier, high-volume two-way star, leading the team’s offense while making a strong push for WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. Williams is leading the Valkyries in points as well as steals this WNBA season.

Against Nigeria, France could hardly miss through the opening 20 minutes, lighting up the scoreboard with 14 first-half threes. Fueling the barrage were Gabby Williams and Marine Johannès, who locked into an effortless rhythm to shoot a combined 8-of-11 from long distance.

France’s shooting beyond the arc made FIBA history, as the team bagged 22 three-pointers of the 40 they attempted, making it the highest number of three-pointers ever scored in a single FIBA game. Dropping 65 points in the opening 20 minutes proved historic for France: not only was it the nation’s most prolific half ever at a FIBA Women’s World Cup, but it also matched the second-highest first-half total recorded by any team this century.

France has seen a massive improvement in their three-point shooting this game, as the last game they played against South Korea on September 6 had them score 13 three-pointers. While that too was a decent showing, their 22 three-pointers against Nigeria is nothing short of momentous.

This performance meant that France surpassed their previous mark of 15 threes set in their Berlin opener against Hungary, but it also topped the record of 20 set by Japan just days earlier.

For Gabby Williams and France, perhaps this is the year that France finally ends their drought.

France Chase Their First World Cup Medal In 73 Years

The Les Bleues are chasing history, looking to snap a World Cup medal drought that dates all the way back to the inaugural 1953 tournament in Santiago, Chile. The French women’s team had its best finish back in the inaugural season, when they won a bronze medal after taking down Brazil. The country has waited 73 years in hopes of another shot at FIBA glory.

France, who hosted the Paris Olympics, also lost the 2024 Paris Olympics final to none other than the USA. However, it’s not too far-fetched for the French to aim for a podium finish in this World Cup, as they may finally have the squad to take them all the way.

Gabby Williams is leading the pack with 18.7 points so far in the tournament. She is joined by New York Liberty standout Marine Johannès, who continues to play a vital role in fueling France’s tournament run, averaging 17 points per game.

Apart from this duo, the French squad features eight active WNBA players, including a pair of teammates from New York, Pauline Astier and Marine Johannès, and Golden State’s Janelle Salaün and Gabby Williams. Rounding out the WNBA talent are Valériane Ayayi of the Phoenix Mercury, Leïla Lacan from the Connecticut Sun, Carla Leite from the Portland Fire, and Dominique Malonga from the Seattle Storm.

So, if there is a team capable of dethroning the USA, it’s France.

However, Gabby Williams remains grounded, still aware there is a long way to go in the tournament. She spoke about this after Team France defeated Team Hungary in a 99-53 victory on September 4.

“I think our effort was good, but we still have a lot of things to work on. I am happy we didn’t play our perfect match, even if you get a lot of points.”

Williams and Co. will surely meet Team USA somewhere in the tournament if they continue on their course. For the fans, this could be one of the most thrilling matchups. Group-play dominance typically predicts deep tournament runs; France’s 65-point first half is the second-highest this century, positioning them as USA’s primary challenger.