BERLIN (Germany) - For hundreds of young girls from across the Berlin region, the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 has been about much more than watching the world’s best players compete.
Through the Little Champions Program, the participants had the chance to walk onto the court alongside some of the world's best players, hear the roar of the crowd, and experience the excitement of a World Cup from the center of the action.
Supported by Toyota, the initiative selected girls from clubs across Berlin and gave them the unique opportunity to accompany players onto the court before games throughout the tournament. For a few special moments, they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with international stars, sharing smiles, high-fives, and memories that will last a lifetime.
The program reflects the FIBA Foundation’s commitment to using basketball as a tool for inclusion, education, and social impact through its Basketball For Good initiative. A core objective of the Foundation is to create a lasting legacy at every FIBA event, leveraging the global reach of basketball to empower young people, strengthen communities, and generate meaningful social impact long after the final buzzer.
While the tournament celebrates athletic excellence, Little Champions highlights how the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup can also create life-changing experiences for young girls, helping them dream bigger, feel seen, and imagine new possibilities both on and off the court.
"We want these girls to feel that they belong in basketball. Experiences like this can inspire a lifelong connection to the game, whether as players, coaches, officials, volunteers, or fans. If they leave here feeling excited about basketball and wanting to come back, then Little Champions has done its job," expressed Head of FIBA Foundation Theren Bullock Jr.
Through the network and support of the Berlin Basketball Association and the German Basketball Federation, all basketball clubs from Berlin and Brandenburg were invited to sign up the young girls of their teams to become Basketball For Good Little Champions. Special interest and enthusiasm were received from clubs of low-income and migrant communities who often face financial limitations to such opportunities.
All 32 registered clubs were able to participate across the 18 tournament sessions and allowed a total of 432 children to enjoy that once-in-a-lifetime experience at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
The young participants were welcomed and accompanied by great event volunteers to the arena, where the excitement was already building. They enjoyed fun activities, shared plenty of laughs, and even had the chance to meet and interact with Bearlina, the tournament mascot. Smiles, photos, and unforgettable memories filled the pre-game experience before the girls stepped onto the court alongside the players.
For many participants, it was the first time attending a major international sporting event. By standing alongside some of the world's best female players, the girls were able to see themselves represented on basketball's biggest stage. These moments of inspiration and connection play an important role in helping girls build confidence, develop a sense of belonging, and remain engaged in the sport.
Sharing the court with these girls was really special. Seeing their excitement and pride as they stood alongside us before the game was a moment I won't forget. I hope this experience inspires them to keep believing in themselves and to stay connected to basketball.
As the world’s best players competed for global glory in Berlin, the Basketball For Good Little Champions program reminded everyone that some of the tournament’s most important victories happen away from the scoreboard. By placing young girls at the heart of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup experience, the initiative is helping inspire the next generation of players and ensuring that the tournament's legacy continues long after the final trophy has been lifted.
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About FIBA Foundation
The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports and particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
The FIBA Foundation believes that basketball has the power to empower, educate and inspire youth and facilitates this by implementing Basketball For Good projects around the world.