Zlatan Ibrahimovic teases new job after taking on host duties for Fox World Cup coverage

Jun 28, 2026 - 15:45
Zlatan Ibrahimovic teases new job after taking on host duties for Fox World Cup coverage

Not content with being one of the greatest soccer players of all-time, and arguably the most entertaining analyst at the World Cup, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is eyeing the US presidency.

The legendary Sweden striker, who played for the likes of Inter Milan, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain during his storied club career before a stint with LA Galaxy in MLS, is getting reacquainted with the American audience.

Fox Sports announcers Rebecca Lowe, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovi¿, and Alexi Lalas during the Fox Sports FIFA World Cup Now show at SoFi Stadium on June 11, 2026
Ibrahimovic has been entertaining fans on Fox’s World Cup coverage
Getty

Ibrahimovic has joined Fox’s World Cup coverage, and has been sitting alongside fellow great Thierry Henry to soak up this summer’s tournament.

Together, the pair have provided some entertaining moments at the expense of USMNT legend Alexi Lalas, and Zlatan has been showcasing the confident personality for which he’s become known in front of millions of viewers.

On Saturday, as Fox previewed Portugal’s final group game against Colombia, he was handed a promotion.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic jokes about becoming US president

“It’s all gone horribly wrong, Zlatan has decided to play host,” regular anchor Rebecca Lowe said, introducing the segment in which the two had swapped seats.

The former Sweden international then went on to stake his claim for the role, before joking that his rise through the TV ranks has been so quick, that he has his eyes on the US presidency next.

“Playing host? I am the host,” he said, taking offense to Lowe’s suggestion that he was merely filling in.

“First I was employee of the month after one week. After two weeks, I am the host. So now it’s my show.”

As all great hosts do, Ibrahimovic went on to introduce his analysts — Henry, Lowe and Lalas — to the conversation, before wrapping up in style.

“After one month, I’m going to be the president of America,” he proclaimed.

The amusing Fox segment was shared on social media, and quickly went viral, with close to a million views in 12 hours.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic plays host for Fox during coverage of the 2026 World Cup alongside Rebecca Lowe, Thierry Henry and Alexi Lalas
Zlatan took on Fox hosting duties in a hilarious segment as he swapped seats with Lowe
Fox
Zlatan Ibrahimovic plays host for Fox during coverage of the 2026 World Cup alongside Rebecca Lowe, Thierry Henry and Alexi Lalas
The Sweden great told viewers he could soon be US president
Fox

Many fans were impressed with Zlatan’s hosting skills, and suggested the segment was one of the best that the network has done so far this summer.

It wasn’t the first time that Ibrahimovic has spoken about running for president, either.

Back in 2018, when he was starring for LA Galaxy, the sound-bite sensation claimed he would have held the top job if he’d arrived in MLS a decade earlier.

When asked how he’d changed American soccer culture at the time, Zlatan responded: “I don’t know if I changed it, I just keep doing my job.

“They’re lucky I didn’t come 10 years ago, because I would be the president today.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic talks up USMNT World Cup chances

While he might only be joking about taking Donald Trump’s job, Zlatan is rather serious about how far the US can go at a World Cup on home soil.

AC Milan's Swedish senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic smiles prior to the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Inter Milan at San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on March 8, 2026
Ibrahimovic believes the US can win the World Cup on home soil
AFP

Speaking after the USMNT booked their place in the knockout rounds with a win against Australia, he urged fans to ‘start believing’ that they can win it all.

“If you didn’t believe before, I will repeat: Start believing,” he said during the FOX postgame broadcast.

“They have the country behind them, and when you have this support, it’s difficult to beat you. And that is what they need.

“They just need to continue, bring confidence from game to game.”

Sebastian Berhalter 14 of the United States celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Türkiye and USA
The US faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 this week
Getty

Since Ibrahimovic made those comments, the US dropped their final group game 3-2 to Turkey, but there was little on the line.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side already knew they were going on to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, and Turkey knew they were heading home.

The focus will now fully shift to that first knockout game, and if the USMNT win, Zlatan might make another rallying cry to fans.

And he’ll do it from the Fox studio, rather than the Oval Office, once again.

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