Key Takeaways:
- Luka Dončić has been selected as an official ambassador for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles.
- At age 26, the Los Angeles Lakers basketball player expressed enthusiasm about his role and the growing popularity of football in the United States.
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place next summer across 16 host cities in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, with Los Angeles among the venues.
Luka Dončić Announced as Los Angeles Ambassador
Slovenian national basketball team member Luka Dončić has officially been appointed as an ambassador for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Some matches for the upcoming tournament are scheduled to be played in Los Angeles, one of sixteen selected host cities.
A superstar on the court and in the community 🏀⚽
We’re excited to announce that NBA standout and global athlete @luka7doncic will serve as an Official Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Community Ambassador!
With a fanbase that spans continents, Luka embodies the international spirit… pic.twitter.com/C8bTwBeZBi
— FIFA World Cup 26 Los Angeles™ (@LosAngelesFWC26) October 16, 2025
Dončić Shares His Excitement for the Role
Luka Dončić, currently a 26-year-old player with the Los Angeles Lakers, shared his pride and enthusiasm for being appointed as a public ambassador, as quoted by Eurohoops.net:
“I am proud to be a public ambassador for the 2026 World Cup in Los Angeles.”
Describing his passion for football, Dončić added:
“The World Cup is the biggest sporting event, so I am very excited. I have always watched football, ever since I was a child. I still watch it now. It is definitely a part of my life.”
He went on to highlight the city’s suitability as a host and the inspirational nature of the event:
“I think Los Angeles is a very beautiful city,” said the Lakers superstar and continued:
“We have a lot of culture. Football is becoming more and more popular in the USA, especially in Los Angeles, so I think because of that, it’s ideal for hosting. Sports can bring out the best in people, especially the World Cup. Everyone gathers to watch the World Cup, to see the best football players representing their countries. That’s why it inspires not only children, but everyone. I am very excited to be its ambassador.”
World Cup Ambassadors and Tournament Overview
In this new capacity, Dončić will become part of a select group of ambassadors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles, which includes Magic Johnson. The tournament, taking place next summer, will be contested in 16 cities distributed across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
| Ambassador | Role | Affiliation | Host City | Tournament Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Dončić | Official Ambassador | Los Angeles Lakers | Los Angeles | 2026 |
| Magic Johnson | Official Ambassador | Los Angeles Lakers (Retired) | Los Angeles | 2026 |
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Competition
The FIFA World Cup in 2026 will see expanded participation and a wider geographic spread of matches, signalling increased global reach for the event. With Dončić and Magic Johnson supporting the effort as ambassadors in Los Angeles, attention is firmly on the city’s preparations and the continued rise of football’s profile in the United States.
