France will be making their debut in the 2017 World Grad Prix, alongside the other four first-time entrants Cameroon, Hungary, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela.
They have taken part in the FIVB World Championship only three times but not in the last 43 years. Their best finish was seventh in the inaugural edition in 1952. France have never qualified to the Olympic Games.
But at continental level France have been more successful, most recently finishing eighth in the European Championship on three occasions (2001, 2007 and 2013). Their best ranking though remains a fourth place from the 1951 edition of the event. France have also competed four times in the European League, with their best record a fourth place in 2009, when they lost in straight sets to Bulgaria in the bronze medal match.