WNBA legend Sue Bird named Fiba Women’s World Cup 2026 ambassador

New Fiba Women’s World Cup ambassador Sue Bird. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Sue Bird has been named as the global ambassador for the Fiba Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin, Germany.

The four-time World Cup champion from Team USA on Friday was introduced by the Fiba as the face of the women’s basketball global spectacle from September 4 to 13. 2026.

Pau Gasol, the 2022 Women’s World Cup global ambassador, passed the torch to the WNBA legend, who played for Seattle Storm and won four titles.

“I feel honored to be sitting here. Pau, thank you so much for holding it down in Sydney as an ambassador — nobody better to take that baton from and I really feel like you’re probably gonna hear me say this a lot today, women’s basketball is at a really exciting moment,” said Bird in a press conference at Mall of Asia Arena, hours before the Fiba World Cup semifinals matches.

Bird, the most decorated Team USA player with five Olympic gold medals, is honored to take part in the game with a different and bigger role after retiring from basketball last year.

“It’s pivotal, and no better way to continue, not anymore as a player but as a former player, than to be sitting here as an ambassador. To help continue to grow that game and really ride that wave that is women’s basketball right now,” Bird said.

Sue Bird and Pau Gasol during a press conference in Manila. –FIBA

Gasol, the former Los Angeles Lakers star, said he couldn’t think of a more fitting ambassador than Bird, passing the baton from his role in Sydney last year.

“I know Sue, she’s amazing. I truly mean this, I couldn’t think of anyone better to be an ambassador for the game. Even though I’m passing the baton and torch. I hope I can be there as well, supporting Sue, and Fiba in the tournament in 2026 in Berlin,” said the former Spain national team star. “I’m just excited that Sue cares and gets involved and I’m sure it’s gonna make a difference and I’m sure she’ll get others also to join her. This is a team effort, this is a global game, this is us caring. This is the bigger picture. I’m just very excited and very happy to have Sue here.”

https://twitter.com/INQUIRERSports/status/1700020885556785484From 12 nations last year, the Women’s Basketball World Cup has expanded to 16 teams in Bird’s turn to promote the tournament and her sport. 

Fiba Secretary-General Andreas Zagklis said women’s basketball is one of the international federation’s top priorities.

“Fiba continues its commitment to strengthening the position of women in basketball through a very clear decision of its maximum body, the Fiba congress, 158 national federations gathered in Manila two weeks ago, and gave us a very strong mandate,” said Zagklis. “Women in basketball is one of the three strategic priorities of Fiba, and that means more women that play the game, more women that coach the game, more women that govern the game, more women that officiate the game, the women that watch the game.”