The French women`s national volleyball team is poised to compete in the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship for the first time since 1974. This European squad has been placed in Pool C, where they are scheduled to play against formidable opponents: Brazil, Puerto Rico, and Greece, during the preliminary phase in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Their championship journey will commence on August 22 with a match against Puerto Rico, followed by encounters with Brazil on August 24 and Greece on August 26. The 2025 tournament introduces an expanded format, featuring 32 national teams battling it out across four Thai cities—Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Nakhon Ratchasima—from August 22 to September 7.
This qualification marks only the fourth time France has secured a spot in the World Championship, with previous participations in 1952, 1956, and 1974. Their most successful outing was in their inaugural appearance, where they achieved a respectable seventh-place finish in the tournament`s very first edition.
For decades thereafter, the French women`s national team remained largely absent from elite international competition. However, this trend has dramatically reversed in recent years, thanks to noticeable progress, a series of landmark achievements, and growing international exposure.
A pivotal moment in their resurgence was winning the Challenger Cup on home soil in Laval. This significant triumph not only marked a major breakthrough but also guaranteed their promotion to the Volleyball Nations League, enabling them to regularly compete against the world`s top-ranked teams.
Adding to their list of recent achievements, the French women`s national team is also set to make its Olympic debut. As the host nation, they automatically qualified, ensuring invaluable exposure on the grandest global stage. The close timing of these two major tournaments offers a unique opportunity to maintain momentum, integrate lessons learned, and carry their competitive rhythm from one elite event to the next.
This year, opposite hitter Iman Ndiaye has distinguished herself as one of the program`s most impactful and high-performing athletes. Her remarkable displays during the 2025 VNL, characterized by consistent scoring and a commanding offensive presence, have been particularly noteworthy. Facing formidable teams such as Italy, China, and Brazil, Ndiaye`s significant contributions were instrumental in keeping the French team competitive and highlighted the growing strength of their attacking lineup.
A crucial element underpinning France’s impressive resurgence has been their involvement in the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program. Between 2022 and 2024, the French Volleyball Federation was granted a substantial $252,000 in aid through three consecutive application-based projects. This entire funding allocation was specifically channeled into bolstering coaching support for the women’s national team, thereby strengthening the program and ensuring its long-term stability and progress.
This robust foundation has allowed the team to transition from intermittent competition to a more structured and continuous development pathway. Instead of preparing for individual tournaments in isolation, the French volleyball system is now committed to fostering continuity across entire Olympic cycles. The Empowerment program`s support has been instrumental in facilitating this transformation, with professional staff and cohesive planning significantly contributing to their sustained advancement.
Cesar Hernandez Gonzalez was appointed as the head coach for the French team in late 2024, following the conclusion of the Olympic Games in Paris. While he was not at the helm during the Olympics, his appointment signaled the commencement of a fresh chapter in the program`s evolution. Bringing a wealth of international coaching experience, Hernandez is now leading the team into the World Championship in Thailand, prioritizing the maintenance of established continuity and further building upon the existing foundational strengths.
The ascendance of the women`s team also mirrors a significant, wider transformation within French volleyball. Over the last ten years, the men`s national team has solidified its position as one of the global elite, securing Olympic gold medals in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, alongside Volleyball Nations League titles in 2022 and 2024. Although these two programs have evolved independently, both have undoubtedly benefited from an overall stronger national system and enhanced international visibility.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood