Pulisic calls Zlatan 'hilarious' amid viral Fox World Cup TV run
USMNT star Christian Pulisic says Fox World Cup analyst Zlatan Ibrahimovic is "hilarious" and "does extremely well" on television. Speaking Tuesday after training, the AC Milan teammates backed Ibrahimovic as the Sweden icon's blunt FOX studio banter—with Alexi Lalas, Ronald Koeman takedowns, and viral clips—has made Zlatan must-watch during the 2026 tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Pulisic told reporters Tuesday he thinks Ibrahimovic is "hilarious" and thriving in his first major broadcast role.
- Ibrahimovic has gone viral for on-air clashes with Alexi Lalas and sharp post-match takes, including a scathing Netherlands critique.
- FOX Sports hired the Sweden legend to be Zlatan, not a tactics professor—and Pulisic says that personality fits the desk.
- Pulisic is expected to start for the USMNT against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night.
Why is Pulisic backing Zlatan's Fox World Cup TV turn?
Ibrahimovic was never short on bold opinions as a player, and retirement has done little to quiet him. Now part of FOX Sports' World Cup coverage, the Sweden icon has become a viral studio presence thanks to blunt assessments and verbal sparring with former USMNT defender Alexi Lalas.
Pulisic spoke after wrapping USMNT training ahead of the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He knows Ibrahimovic well from AC Milan, where the Swede works as a special adviser after starring there for years.
"I think he's hilarious," Pulisic said Tuesday. "Obviously, I've gotten to work with him a lot too. He's a really good guy, but just listening to him and knowing his personality, I think he does extremely well."
What viral moments put Zlatan on everyone's feed?
When Fox Sports brought Ibrahimovic on as a World Cup analyst, it was betting his big personality would create viral moments. Ibrahimovic was not brought in to do tactics. He was brought in to be Zlatan—and Pulisic says that is working.
Some of his most shared clips involve Lalas. When host Rebecca Lowe said, "Chaps, Alexi left us," Ibrahimovic replied: "Who?" He later told the camera, "America, you're welcome."
Ibrahimovic also blasted the Netherlands after their penalty defeat to Morocco on Monday, June 29, blaming manager Ronald Koeman for abandoning Dutch attacking identity. Koeman resigned Tuesday. FOX has leaned in further with a clip titled "You'll never guess Zlatan's nicknames for the FOX crew".
How did Zlatan become Fox's breakout World Cup star?
Ibrahimovic represented Sweden 122 times, scoring 62 goals across two World Cups in 2002 and 2006. After retiring in 2023 following stops at AC Milan, Barcelona, PSG and the LA Galaxy, he joined Milan as an executive—the same club where Pulisic now plays.
On the FOX desk with Lowe, Thierry Henry and Lalas, Ibrahimovic also rejected the idea that France played with arrogance in its opener. "It's not arrogance, it's confidence," he said. "Ignorant people will say it's arrogance, intelligent people will say it's confidence."
For more on sports stars dominating headlines beyond the pitch, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
What's next for Pulisic and the USMNT?
After a cameo against Turkiye last week, Pulisic is expected to be close to full fitness and start against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. The USMNT's Round of 32 kickoff is 8 p.m. ET.