FOX Sports continues to build out its on-air roster for the biggest event in global soccer, and this latest addition brings both star power and unmistakable personality to its coverage plans for 2026.
The network announced the former international standout Zlatan Ibrahimović will join its broadcast team for the FIFA World Cup 2026, marking his debut as a studio analyst for a major U.S. media company.
FOX Sports President and Executive Producer Brad Zager revealed the move during the World Baseball Classic Final pregame show. He used the high-profile stage to introduce one of the sport’s most recognizable figures to an American television audience in a new role.
Ibrahimović, one of the most prolific scorers of his generation, will begin his role when the tournament opens June 11 across North America. His presence adds a distinctive voice to FOX’s coverage. It brings confidence, experience, and an unfiltered perspective. Those traits have defined his playing career and public persona for more than two decades.
“Zlatan bringing his signature confidence, perspective and one-of-a-kind personality to our coverage is a huge win for fans and FOX Sports is thrilled to welcome him as the newest addition to our FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast team,” Zager said in a statement. “We can’t wait to have him with us throughout the tournament, delivering insights like only Zlatan can, for what promises to be must-see television in his first time as a FIFA World Cup analyst.”
Throughout a professional career that spanned from 1999 to 2023, Ibrahimović established himself as a global star while playing for several of Europe’s most prominent clubs, including AC Milan, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.
He later brought that star power to the United States in 2018, joining the LA Galaxy and delivering immediate results with 52 goals in just 56 regular season matches, a stretch that reinforced his reputation as an elite finisher even late in his career.
On the international stage, Ibrahimović represented Sweden more than 100 times and remains the nation’s all-time leading goal scorer with 62 goals. His resume includes appearances in two FIFA World Cup tournaments and four UEFA European Championships, along with a record 12 Swedish Player of the Year honors, underscoring both his longevity and sustained excellence.
FOX Sports has not yet finalized its full broadcast lineup for the tournament, but additional talent announcements are expected in the months leading up to kickoff. The network is positioning its coverage around both established broadcasters and globally recognized former players, aiming to appeal to casual viewers and dedicated soccer fans alike as interest in the sport continues to grow across the United States.
The 2026 tournament will run from June 11 through July 19, with FOX airing 70 matches and FS1 carrying 34, while every game will also stream on the FOX Sports App and FOX One. As the first World Cup hosted by three countries — the United States, Mexico and Canada — the expanded 48-team field will compete in 104 matches across 16 host cities, making it the largest edition of the event to date and a defining moment for soccer’s footprint in North America.
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