Luka Doncic is preparing for his first full season as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers after his high-profile move from the Dallas Mavericks in February. The blockbuster midseason trade sent Anthony Davis to Dallas and marked the first time in NBA history that two active All-NBA players were swapped in the same deal. In 28 games with Los Angeles, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists, quickly establishing himself as the focal point of the Lakers’ offense.
His chemistry with LeBron James helped the Lakers secure the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, while his on-court leadership and star power have made him a fan favorite in Los Angeles. He later signed a three-year, $165 million extension in August, further cementing his place as the face of the franchise.
Advertisement
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77).© Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
As he prepares for the 2025-26 NBA season, Luka Doncic made an exciting off-court announcement on Thursday – he was named the official community ambassador for the 2026 World Cup, with multiple games set to be played in Los Angeles.
“I’m proud to serve as a community ambassador of the World Cup in Los Angeles,” Doncic said in a video posted by the Luka Doncic Foundation. “The World Cup is the biggest event in sports, so I’m very excited. I’ve always watched soccer since I was a kid. I watch it now. It’s a part of my life for sure.”
Advertisement
Doncic expressed his love for the city and alluded to the growth of soccer in the U.S.: “I think LA is a very nice city. You know, we’ve got a lot of culture. Soccer is getting more and more popular in the U.S., especially in LA. So I think the culture right here, because of that, is the perfect city to support it.
“Sports can bring the best in people, you know, especially the World Cup. Everybody gets together to watch the World Cup, to watch the best players play for their country. So, because of that, it inspires not only kids, but everybody. I’m very excited to be the ambassador of it.”
Advertisement
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the largest sporting event in the world, will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Los Angeles is one of 16 cities, 11 in the U.S., scheduled to host games.
Doncic, an avid Real Madrid C.F. supporter, has long expressed his passion for soccer. His appointment as a community ambassador highlights his influence beyond basketball, bridging global sports cultures and helping LA prepare to welcome fans from across the world.
Related: Lakers Announce Bronny James Injury Update After Four NBA Preseason Games
Related: JJ Redick Reveals Luka Doncic, Lakers Plan After LeBron James News
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.