The NBA superstar will join the Los Angeles Host Committee as an Official Community Ambassador to help deliver an unforgettable World Cup experience.
The Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee, led by the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC), is proud to announce that Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers guard, five-time NBA All-Star, youth sports advocate and philanthropist, will serve as an Official Community Ambassador for the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee ahead of FIFA World Cup 26™. Los Angeles is ready to welcome the world, hosting eight World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium, including the U.S. Men’s National Team’s opening game, and 39 days of fan experiences planned throughout the region.
Growing up in Slovenia, Dončić was involved in many sports, including soccer, basketball, tennis, and gymnastics. He began his highly successful international basketball career in Europe, leading Slovenia to a gold medal at EuroBasket and Real Madrid to a EuroLeague Championship, before moving to the United States when he was drafted into the NBA in 2018 at the age of 19. Dončić was named 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year, has been selected First Team All-NBA five times and led the Dallas Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals. He joined the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025. Now entering his second season with the team, he proudly calls Los Angeles home.
Dončić truly understands the power of sports. He launched the Luka Dončić Foundation in December 2024 with the goal of ensuring that youth sports are a joyful, enriching force in the lives of kids around the world. His fanbase extends beyond Los Angeles, reaching throughout the United States and across continents. As an international sports icon who has lived in three countries and speaks four languages, Dončić is a perfect representative for a global event like the World Cup.