MIES (Switzerland): Pau Gasol has been appointed as FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Global Ambassador and is set to continue his support of the famous competition, having also assumed the role for the previous 2022 edition in Sydney.
A FIBA Hall of Fame Class of 2025 inductee and FIBA World Cup 2006 winner and MVP, Gasol is a legendary basketball figure and will use his status within the sport and beyond to promote this year’s showpiece event in Berlin, Germany and also highlight the soaring global popularity and growth of the women’s game worldwide.
“This World Cup will reflect the extraordinary growth that women’s basketball is experiencing across the world. The level of talent, the competitiveness and the global interest in the game continue to rise, and this tournament will be another important step forward for the sport.”
Gasol has passionately advocated for the women’s game, and has also been investing in women’s basketball for more than four years, with his appointment reflective of his desire to continue the momentum. He also becomes the second basketball icon to take on the role after USA legend and FIBA Hall of Fame Class of 2026 member Sue Bird was previously announced as a FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Global Ambassador.
As Global Ambassador four years ago, Gasol helped to ensure that Sydney 2022 was hailed as the best FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in history, with 1.1 billion impressions and 14 million engagements across global social platforms – as well as a record-breaking 145,000 spectators during the competition.
