Four-time FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup champion Sue Bird has been named global ambassador for the 2026 edition of the tournament to be held in Berlin, Germany.

FIBA formally introduced the American cage star as the face of the expanded World Cup in a press conference on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

"Just a lot of excitement. On top of that, I feel honored to be sitting here," Bird said.

The 42-year-old retired Women's National Basketball Association ace was joined by the 2022 Sydney Women's World Cup ambassador Pau Gasol during the official announcement of her appointment.

"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," Bird, who won four WNBA titles playing for Seattle Storm, added.

"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 was a member of the US women's squad that took home the World Cup crown in 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2018. She also bagged five Olympic gold medals making her one of women's basketball's most decorated players.

"I know Sue, she's amazing. I truly mean this, I couldn't think of anyone better to be an ambassador for the game," Gasol said.

"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. 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," he added.

"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."

The 2026 FIBA World Cup will be staged from 4-13 September with the field expanded to 16 nations from 12 squads last year.

US ruled the Sydney edition for its fourth straight title.

FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis reiterated the commitment of the sport's global governing body to strengthen the position of women's basketball.

"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, more women that watch the game," he said.