Football fans watching the FIFA World Cup 2026 may have been surprised to see Zlatan Ibrahimovic making headlines once again. The Swedish legend is very much part of the tournament, but not in the role that made him one of football's biggest stars.
Despite his high-profile presence around the World Cup, Ibrahimovic is not playing in the competition. The former Sweden striker retired from professional football in 2023, bringing the curtain down on a glittering career that saw him represent some of Europe's biggest clubs, including AC Milan, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Instead, the 44-year-old has returned to the World Cup stage as a broadcaster. Ibrahimovic has joined FOX Sports as a studio analyst for the 2026 tournament, offering expert insights and his trademark outspoken opinions throughout the competition.
Why isn't Zlatan playing?
The simple answer is retirement. Ibrahimovic stepped away from football three years ago after battling injuries during the latter stages of his career. Even before his retirement, Sweden failed to secure qualification for the World Cup, ruling out any possibility of another international appearance on football's biggest stage.
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ðŸ¨| BREAKING: Zlatan Ibrahimović just KICKED Speed off FOX Sports after he said Portugal will win the World Cup ðŸ˜ðŸ’ pic.twitter.com/3lFcg7LB5g
— Speedy HQ (@IShowSpeedHQ) June 13, 2026
The striker finished his international career with 62 goals in 122 appearances for Sweden, cementing his place as one of the country's greatest-ever players.
From scoring goals to analysing a shot
While fans will not see Ibrahimovic leading a team's attack in North America, they are still getting plenty of Zlatan moments. FOX Sports brought the former striker into its World Cup coverage team, banking on his charisma, confidence and deep understanding of the game.
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Good morning America pic.twitter.com/ZMNpt65Yaj
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) June 13, 2026
His appearances have already attracted significant attention, with viewers eager to hear his take on the tournament's biggest talking points. The move also marks a new chapter in Ibrahimovic's post-playing career as he transitions from football superstar to television personality. The Swedish icon remains one of the tournament's most talked-about figures, this time behind the microphone rather than on the pitch.
