Zlatan Ibrahimović Calls It Quits Fox World Cup Coverage

Surprise Exit at the End of Fox’s Broadcast

During the final minutes of Fox’s World Cup telecast, Zlatan Ibrahimović stood beside Rebecca Lowe and announced that his television stint was over. “This was the first and last time for me, so take care, everybody,” he joked, signaling an abrupt end to his studio role. The unexpected farewell caught many viewers off guard, even though the departure had been hinted at earlier in the week.

Lowe’s Earlier Knowledge of the Decision

Speaking on The Dan Patrick Show on Monday, Lowe revealed she wasn’t surprised by the announcement. She explained that Ibrahimović had told her privately, on multiple occasions, that he would be done after the tournament. After the live segment, she added, “What about the return of Zlatan? That’s got a whole other great branding situation.”

How Fox Picked Ibrahimović First

Fox Sports president Brad Zager told The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand back in March that Ibrahimović was “the very first name the network wrote down” when building its World Cup studio. The network’s initial shortlist also included David Beckham and Jurgen Klopp, but Zlatan secured the spot. In June, Lowe told Sports Business Journal’s Austin Karp that she believed America would fall in love with him, noting her only real hesitation was the challenge of interrupting his flow for commercial breaks.

Breakout Performance and Comparisons

Despite having no prior TV experience, Ibrahimović quickly became a standout figure in Fox’s coverage. Analysts drew frequent comparisons to Charles Barkley, praising his infectious personality and analytical insight. Throughout the tournament, his presence generated high ratings and positive buzz, confirming Fox’s early optimism about his talent.

Broadcaster’s Career Milestones

For Lowe, this tournament marked her first World Cup assignment, capping a 12‑year run as the face of NBC’s Premier League coverage and seven consecutive Olympics as a daytime host. The most recent of those games was the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The current World Cup is also the last in which Fox holds English‑language rights in the U.S., with 2030 expected to be shopped to ESPN, Netflix, and others.

Industry Skepticism on a Permanent Retirement

Seasoned TV personalities have shown doubt that Ibrahimović’s exit will stick. Charles Barkley, the comparison that haunted the Swedish star, has announced retirements more than once only to return to the air. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio joked that “Zlatan knows how to use advantage,” hinting that a comeback could still happen.

What Lies Ahead for Fox and the Talent

Fox still holds rights to the 2027 CONCACAF Gold Cup and UEFA Euro 2028, events the network plans to showcase as major television productions. Whether that ambition will bring the current studio crew back together remains uncertain. Lowe, meanwhile, has already begun scouting ways to revive the pairing, leaving the door open for a future collaboration.