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The 2026 FIFAWorld Cup just kicked off, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is already delivering bold takes.
On Thursday’s opening broadcast on FOX Sports, Ibrahimovic, one of the greatest strikers of all time, now making his debut as a studio analyst, was asked which group caught his eye.
He didn’t hesitate. He chose Group L, taking a moment to call out the favorites and one team he labeled the “punching bag” of the group.
“We have England. Is it coming home? We’ll see. We have Croatia. I have some roots from Croatia as well, so I’m supporting them in this tournament. We have Ghana. Big talent, let’s see what they bring. We have Panama. Unfortunately, in this group, I think they will be the punching bag,” Ibrahimovic said.
“England and Croatia will fight for the top spot, and Ghana might disturb them and take some points. But I don’t see Panama,” he added.
More news: France Face Worrying Ousmane Dembele Trend Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Group L brings together England, 2018 runners-up Croatia, African contenders Ghana, and CONCACAF representatives Panama.
England are ranked No. 4 in the FIFA world rankings, with Croatia at No. 11, and Panama at No. 34, ranking nearly 40 spots ahead of Ghana, who sits at No. 73 overall.
Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions open against Croatia on June 17 in Arlington, Texas, in a rematch of the 2018 semifinal that Croatia won in extra time.
That’s the game that Ibrahimovic effectively sees deciding the group.
Ghana, which lost 5-1 to Austria in March and 2-0 to Mexico in May, might make some noise, but he doesn’t see Panama as any legitimate threat.
And there’s some logic there. Panama was beaten down by Brazil 6-2 in May and then only narrowly escaped with a 4-2 win over the Dominican Republic in the build-up to the tournament on June 3.
The DR ranks 144 overall in FIFA’s world rankings.
More news: Concerning Trend Emerges for Argentina Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: AC Milan Senior Advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks on before the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
More news: 10 Must-Watch Group Stage Matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Ibrahimovic scored over 560 career goals, the 15th most all-time, won 34 major trophies, and played for legendary clubs like Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, PSG, and Manchester United.
He retired in 2023 as Sweden’s all-time leading scorer with 62 career goals, and now brings his unapologetic energy to the broadcast booth for FOX.
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On Thursday’s opening broadcast on FOX Sports, Ibrahimovic, one of the greatest strikers of all time, now making his debut as a studio analyst, was asked which group caught his eye.
He didn’t hesitate. He chose Group L, taking a moment to call out the favorites and one team he labeled the “punching bag” of the group.
“We have England. Is it coming home? We’ll see. We have Croatia. I have some roots from Croatia as well, so I’m supporting them in this tournament. We have Ghana. Big talent, let’s see what they bring. We have Panama. Unfortunately, in this group, I think they will be the punching bag,” Ibrahimovic said.
“England and Croatia will fight for the top spot, and Ghana might disturb them and take some points. But I don’t see Panama,” he added.
More news: France Face Worrying Ousmane Dembele Trend Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Group L brings together England, 2018 runners-up Croatia, African contenders Ghana, and CONCACAF representatives Panama.
England are ranked No. 4 in the FIFA world rankings, with Croatia at No. 11, and Panama at No. 34, ranking nearly 40 spots ahead of Ghana, who sits at No. 73 overall.
Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions open against Croatia on June 17 in Arlington, Texas, in a rematch of the 2018 semifinal that Croatia won in extra time.
That’s the game that Ibrahimovic effectively sees deciding the group.
Ghana, which lost 5-1 to Austria in March and 2-0 to Mexico in May, might make some noise, but he doesn’t see Panama as any legitimate threat.
And there’s some logic there. Panama was beaten down by Brazil 6-2 in May and then only narrowly escaped with a 4-2 win over the Dominican Republic in the build-up to the tournament on June 3.
The DR ranks 144 overall in FIFA’s world rankings.
More news: Concerning Trend Emerges for Argentina Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
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MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: AC Milan Senior Advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks on before the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
More news: 10 Must-Watch Group Stage Matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Ibrahimovic scored over 560 career goals, the 15th most all-time, won 34 major trophies, and played for legendary clubs like Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, PSG, and Manchester United.
He retired in 2023 as Sweden’s all-time leading scorer with 62 career goals, and now brings his unapologetic energy to the broadcast booth for FOX.
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