The 2026 FIFA World Cup has started, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, known for his striking prowess, is already sharing his bold opinions. Debuting as a studio analyst on FOX Sports, Ibrahimovic was asked to pinpoint a standout group. Choosing Group L, he described it in detail, highlighting the strong contenders and pointing out one team he believes stands little chance.
Ibrahimovic stated, “We have England. Is it coming home? We’ll see. We have Croatia; my Croatian roots make me support them here. We have Ghana, a team of big talent. Finally, we have Panama, who I think will face tough challenges in this group.” He emphasized that England and Croatia will likely vie for the leading position, with Ghana potentially stirring the pot and earning some points. However, he expressed skepticism about Panama’s ability to compete.
England ranks No. 4 in FIFA’s world rankings, followed by Croatia at No. 11 and Panama at No. 34. Ghana stands at No. 73 overall, nearly 40 spots behind Panama.
The group features a matchup between Thomas Tuchel’s England and Croatia on June 17 in Arlington, Texas, echoing the 2018 semifinal where Croatia triumphed in extra time. This is the fixture Ibrahimovic believes will shape the group progression. While Ghana had mixed results earlier this year with a 5-1 loss to Austria and a 2-0 defeat to Mexico, Panama struggles for regard. Recent performances saw Panama suffer a 6-2 loss to Brazil and narrowly win 4-2 against the Dominican Republic, a team ranked 144 in FIFA’s listings, just before the tournament.
Ibrahimovic retired in 2023 as Sweden’s lead scorer, boasting over 560 career goals and collecting 34 major trophies. His career spanned elite clubs such as Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, PSG, and Manchester United. Now, he transitions his determined spirit to broadcasting with FOX.