Luka Doncic Named Official Community Ambassador for LA World Cup 2026 Host Committee

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić will serve as an official community ambassador during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA announced Thursday.

The upcoming World Cup is set to take place in 16 host cities, including Los Angeles, across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

"The World Cup is the biggest event in sports, so I'm very excited," Dončić said in a video published by FIFA. "I've always watched soccer, since I was a kid. I watch it now. it's a part of my life, for sure."

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

The first Los Angeles match is scheduled to be a group stage game on Friday, June 12. Play will wrap up in the city with a quarterfinal matchup on Friday, July 10.

FIFA said in a statement that Dončić, a former Dallas Mavericks icon turned face of the Lakers who also competes internationally for Slovenia, "embodies the international spirit" of the World Cup as a player "with a fanbase that spans continents."

The Luka Dončić Foundation meanwhile said in a statement that Dončić "is ready to welcome the world to LA and is excited to help inspire the next generation to find joy and connection through sport."

Dončić has been an avowed Real Madrid fan since becoming the youngest player to debut in La Liga as a member of the Real Madrid basketball team in 2015.

He will now join former USMNT icon and Los Angeles Galaxy star Cobi Jones, former Lakers icon Magic Johnson and actress Eva Longoria in serving as community ambassadors for the upcoming World Cup.

Snoop Dogg will meanwhile serve as the official community chairman, according to a recent announcement from the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Committee.

The goal of the ambassador program is "to help encourage the Los Angeles
community to take part in this generational event and welcome to world to experience the best of Los Angeles," according to the host committee.