Luka Doncic to Lead Lakers and Serve as World Cup Ambassador

Los Angeles, CA — Luka Doncic is gearing up for his first full season with the Los Angeles Lakers following a high-profile trade. As the season opener approaches, Doncic has also shared exciting off-court news regarding his role as an ambassador for next year’s FIFA World Cup.

In a recent video on the Luka Doncic Foundation’s Instagram, he expressed pride in his ambassadorial role for the World Cup, set to take place in various U.S. cities, and in Mexico and Canada. “The World Cup is the biggest event in sports, so I’m very excited,” Doncic said.

Joining him as ambassadors are NBA legend Magic Johnson and Cobi Jones of Los Angeles Galaxy. Doncic, who noted his long-time passion for soccer, called Los Angeles a “very nice city” rich in culture, making it an ideal venue for the World Cup.

Regarding his basketball career, Doncic will take a leading role for the Lakers this season, especially in light of LeBron James‘s recent injury, which could sideline him for several weeks. Some speculate that Doncic may take the helm as the team’s future star once James retires.

Doncic’s determination to improve his game is evident; he dedicated his offseason to enhancing his fitness and also represented Slovenia in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 tournament. His efforts are already showing promise during early preseason games, where he scored 25 points against the Phoenix Suns.

The Lakers will officially start their season against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, October 21, where Doncic aims to showcase his talent on the NBA stage.