A Map Mistake at the All-Star: Wembanyama and France

During the NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on February 15, 2026 a promotional graphic was projected as Victor Wembanyama walked onto the 360-degree video ring. The silhouette used for France appeared truncated on the eastern side, with Alsace and Lorraine notably absent. Some viewers also noticed that parts of neighboring countries seemed to be included in the outline, which created a jarring image for those familiar with modern maps. The picture lasted only a few seconds but it was widely shared.

The image circulated quickly on social platforms and in French news outlets, where commentators mixed surprise with humour. French president Emmanuel Macron posted a light-hearted message on X to reassure neighbours that France had not supplied the map and to celebrate Wembanyama’s achievement. Wembanyama scored 33 points across his two All-Star appearances and he was widely praised for his play. This edition of the All-Star event used a three-team format and the basketball action continued even as the graphic moment trended.

The episode underlined how global sports spectacles now combine live performance with instant visual storytelling, and how small errors can be amplified across time zones. Some French coverage noted the historical sensitivity around Alsace-Lorraine, given the region’s complex past, and this context helped explain why the image attracted attention. While the exact origin of the graphic has not been detailed in the reviewed reports, the reaction showed that national symbols still matter to viewers and that a single image can shape the tone of an evening.

Wembanyama’s presence on that stage reaffirmed his role as a prominent international athlete, and the brief map error became part of a larger conversation about representation and attention in global sports media.