Zlatan Ibrahimovic Jokes About US Presidency After Fox Hosting Debut

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the former Sweden and LA Galaxy striker, has been making waves as a pundit on Fox's World Cup coverage, and he recently took his role a step further by filling in as host during a segment. The iconic forward, known for his larger-than-life personality, used the opportunity to joke about becoming the US president.

Ibrahimovic has been part of Fox's broadcast team for the 2026 World Cup, sitting alongside fellow legend Thierry Henry and USMNT icon Alexi Lalas. On Saturday, during a preview of Portugal's group game against Colombia, regular anchor Rebecca Lowe introduced a segment where Ibrahimovic and Lowe swapped seats, handing him the hosting duties.

What Happened

Ibrahimovic immediately embraced the role, declaring, "Playing host? I am the host." He claimed he had been "employee of the month" after one week and was now the host of his own show. He then introduced his analysts—Henry, Lowe, and Lalas—before delivering a punchline: "After one month, I'm going to be the president of America."

• Ibrahimovic joined Fox's World Cup coverage as an analyst, alongside Thierry Henry and Alexi Lalas.
• He swapped seats with anchor Rebecca Lowe to host a segment previewing Portugal vs. Colombia.
• Ibrahimovic joked about his rapid rise from employee of the month to host, then to future US president.
• The moment went viral, amassing nearly a million views on social media in 12 hours.
• This is not the first time Ibrahimovic has mentioned running for office; in 2018 he said fans were lucky he didn't arrive in MLS 10 years earlier or he would be president.

Why It Matters

While Ibrahimovic's comments were clearly made in jest, they highlight his enduring charisma and ability to captivate audiences even after retirement. His presence on Fox has added entertainment value to the network's World Cup broadcasts, drawing attention from both soccer fans and casual viewers.

Ibrahimovic's previous off-field ambitions have been well-documented. In 2014, he claimed he would run for president of Sweden if not for his football career, and his latest quip about the US presidency continues a pattern of playful, attention-grabbing statements.

As the World Cup continues, Ibrahimovic is expected to remain a key part of Fox's coverage, providing analysis alongside Henry and Lalas. Whether he truly has political aspirations remains to be seen, but for now, his on-air antics are keeping fans entertained.