Rebecca Lowe hosts viral Zlatan and Henry Fimbu dance moment
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Rebecca Lowe anchors the Fox Sports World Cup studio where Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry went viral performing DR Congo's Fimbu dance with the full pundit crew. The clip extended a celebration born on the pitch into knockout-round TV, while Lowe keeps managing one of the tournament's most unpredictable panels.
Key Takeaways
- Ibrahimovic and Henry led the entire Fox studio crew in the Fimbu dance after DR Congo's players made it famous at the 2026 World Cup.
- The Fimbu is a Congolese celebration meaning "the whip" in Lingala, featuring a downward whipping motion that symbolises national football pride.
- Rebecca Lowe told talkSPORT she sometimes feels like she is "herding cattle" while hosting Ibrahimovic, Henry and Alexi Lalas for six weeks.
- Lowe insists there is no real tension between Ibrahimovic and Lalas despite their headline-making on-air clashes.
- DR Congo face England in the Round of 32, with fans hoping to see the Fimbu celebration again.
Why did Zlatan and Henry do the Fimbu dance on Fox?
Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic and French counterpart Thierry Henry caught World Cup fever from DR Congo, according to Pulse Sports Kenya. After the Leopards reached the knockout round for the first time with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, Ibrahimovic led the Fox Sports studio in the dance.
"The World Cup starts tomorrow with the knockout round, here we come. Thierry give me that Fimbu," Ibrahimovic said before shouting, "Everybody, Fimbu, Fimbu, let's go. You are going to see that Fimbu next game." The legendary strikers used the Congolese celebration to issue a rallying call to the studio crew where they work as World Cup pundits.
What is the Fimbu celebration DR Congo made famous?
DR Congo scored four goals at the World Cup through that point, and each time the whole team performed the Fimbu dance. Two goals came from Yoane Wissa and another from Fiston Mayle in the historic Uzbekistan victory.
The Fimbu is a popular Congolese dance that translates to "the whip" in Lingala. It features a distinct downward whipping motion with the right hand while the left holds an imaginary object. Pulse Sports reports it symbolises overwhelming opponents with intensity and DR Congo's national football pride.
How is Rebecca Lowe handling the Fox World Cup studio?
While Ibrahimovic and Henry were going viral with Fimbu, host Rebecca Lowe has been keeping the wider Fox panel on track. Appearing on talkSPORT, she joked, "I do feel sometimes like I'm herding cattle," calling it the most unpredictable panel of her 25-year broadcasting career.
Lowe anchors alongside Ibrahimovic, Henry and Alexi Lalas for six weeks straight. She told the outlet they have "so much fun," even as the analysts' on-air barbs fuel social media drama. For more on how viral broadcast moments reshape sports coverage, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders section.
Is there real tension between Zlatan and Alexi Lalas?
Lowe has repeatedly pushed back on reports of a feud. Speaking to talkSPORT, she said, "These stories do make me laugh and we do laugh about them. We're like, 'another one?' And it is getting a little out of hand." She added, "There is nothing, there is no tension, nothing! We are laughing our heads off at all of this."
According to The Sun, Ibrahimovic and Lalas have played into the narrative throughout the tournament, trading jokes about studio absences and outfits. Lowe maintains "everybody respects everybody hugely" behind the cameras, even as the Fimbu moment shows how quickly studio culture can mirror the pitch.