Lucas Boland-USA TODAY Sports

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Announces Career News Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Mar 18, 2026 11:10 AM ET

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark the largest edition in tournament history, expanding to 48 teams.

On top of that, the upcoming World Cup is taking place across three countries for the first time ever, with games scheduled to take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

Fox Sports will carry all 104 matches across its platforms, with every game streamed live and on-demand and 70 of those matches aired on Fox, with the remaining 34 shown on FS1.

With the summer tournament around the corner, the network has continued assembling its broadcast team by landing a few high-profile analysts and former top-tier soccer players.

France legend Thierry Henry and presenter Rebecca Lowe, making her Fox Sports debut, are among those already announced as part of the network's upcoming coverage.

A general view of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw at John F. Kennedy Center.Stephanie Scarbrough-Reuters via Imagn Images

On Tuesday, however, Fox Sports announced yet another big addition to its broadcast team in global soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic will join the network as a studio analyst for the 2026 World Cup.

“The 2026 FIFA World Cup is about to get Zlatan’d,” Fox Sports said in its announcement.

Ibrahimovic, meanwhile, confirmed the news himself on X.

“The 2026 FIFA World Cup is going to be the BEST World Cup of All Time!” Ibrahimovic wrote. “I’m excited to announce that I will be joining Fox Sports in the United States this summer to cover the World Cup. You’re Welcome America - #ZLATANonFOX.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is going to be the BEST World Cup of All Time!

I’m excited to announce that I will be joining Fox Sports in the United States this summer to cover the World Cup.
You’re Welcome America - #ZLATANonFOX pic.twitter.com/xne3MHfqXv
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) March 17, 2026

FOX Sports president Brad Zager told The Athletic that Ibrahimovic was a priority target.

“He was at the top of the list of people we wanted to take swings at for this World Cup,” Zager said. “We put a blank slate on the board, thinking some were longshots and guys who have worked with us in the past and a lot of stuff in between. And Zlatan was one that there was no reason to not take a swing and see if he would be willing to do this.”

Ibrahimovic retired in 2023 as Sweden’s all-time leading scorer. Over his career, he scored 573 goals, including 511 at the club level and 62 internationally, over 988 games.

The former striker started his career at Malmo FF before going on to play at Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and AC Milan, while also spending two seasons with the LA Galaxy in the USA's Major League Soccer.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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