Sue Bird is returning to international basketball as ambassador for 2026 World Cup

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Sue Bird has a great story to tell. She was flying home from the Athens Olympics and a flight attendant asked if the pilot could see her gold medal. The medal was then passed up and down the aisles so everyone could touch it. She was an ambassador of the game on that flight and now, the title is official.

FIBA formally introduced Bird, the now-retired U.S. great, on Friday as the global ambassador for the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin. She takes over the role from Pau Gasol, who served as ambassador for the 2022 women’s tournament in Sydney.

“It’s really special. Never took that moment for granted. And now in this seat, I get to have an impact in a different way,” Bird said in Manila, where the men’s World Cup was wrapping up this weekend.

Bird is a nine-time gold medalist, having won five in the Olympics, four in the World Cup, and being named USA Basketball’s women’s athlete of the year in 2021. That doesn’t include her numerous other achievements such as her four WNBA titles, her 13 WNBA All-Star selections, five EuroLeague titles, two NCAA championships, state and national championships at the high school level, and being co-flagbearer for the U.S. at the Tokyo Olympics.

Gasol, passing the baton to Bird, said, “I’m excited that Sue cares and gets involved and she’s going to make a big difference. And I’m sure she’ll get others also to join her.”

With the women’s tournament expanding from 12 to 16 teams for the 2026 edition, FIBA aims to bring the game to the next level by promoting and growing women’s basketball on all levels. Andreas Zagklis, FIBA’s secretary general, expressed that optimism saying, “This is our humble but ambitious objective.”

Bird retired last year after her 18th season with the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, the only team she ever played for in that league. She expressed her desire to continue promoting, growing, and elevating the game to inspire young girls to dream and exceed their dreams.

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