A newly released clip from Fox Sports' 2026 World Cup studio has captured Zlatan Ibrahimović appearing to mock his fellow analyst Alexi Lalas during a break in coverage. The footage, posted by Ibrahimović on X, shows the former Swedish striker singing and clapping along to music playing on his phone.
Lalas, a former U.S. national team player, is seen attempting to ascertain the song and artist from Ibrahimović. "Who is this?" Lalas asked, to which Ibrahimović replied, "You will not know even if I tell you the name." When Lalas pressed for the band's name, Ibrahimović ignored the question, continuing his musical interlude. Lalas made a final attempt, asking, "What's she saying?" Online viewers later identified the track as a song by pop star Lepa Brena.
This interaction adds to a recent series of tense exchanges between the two analysts. Earlier, Ibrahimović had called Lalas "the past" live on air after Lalas described France as "arrogant." Following this, as Lalas departed the studio to report from a match, Ibrahimović stated, "You're welcome, America."
Despite these on-air moments and the recent behind-the-scenes clip, Fox World Cup host Rebecca Lowe has stated that the analysts maintain a positive relationship off-camera. Lowe told talkSPORT that stories of tension are amusing to the team and that the suggestions of unrest are getting "a little out of hand." She emphasized that all three analysts "respect everybody hugely" and that the perceived tension does not exist.
Lalas has also engaged in lighthearted jabs, once remarking that Ibrahimović's cream suit resembled those worn by presenters on the 1970s show 'Fantasy Island.' Lowe reiterated that amid their exchanges, there is underlying respect among the colleagues.