Overview
- France won the women's relay in Östersund to launch the 2025–26 World Cup, which runs at the venue through 7 December.
- Julia Simon is absent under a one‑month FFS suspension effective 7 November after an Albertville court imposed a three‑month suspended sentence and a €15,000 fine, with her return slated for Hochfilzen on 12–14 December.
- The French federation said its internal inquiry established no sabotage in reported rifle‑tampering but found a breach of team rules that led to sanctions.
- Lou Jeanmonnot leads the French women after last season's near‑miss for the overall globe, with world No. 1 Franziska Preuss and returning Lisa Vittozzi among primary rivals.
- Éric Perrot, the 2025 20 km individual world champion and last season's world No. 3, is viewed as a crystal globe contender in a men's field reshaped by Johannes Bø's retirement.