FOX Sports Analysts' On-Air Beef Leads to FIFA World Cup Coverage Shakeup

Well, that didn't take long.

Just days after Zlatan Ibrahimović bodied Alexi Lalas to his face during FOX Sports' FIFA World Cup coverage, Lalas was noticeably absent from the studio desk, much to Ibrahimović and Thierry Henry's delight.

In case you missed it, Ibrahimović essentially called Lalas "ignorant" to his face on Tuesday after Lalas all but agreed with Landon Donovan's take that France played arrogantly in the first half against Senegal.

"It's not arrogance, it's confidence," Ibrahimović immediately interjected. "Ignorant people will say it's arrogance, intelligent people will say it's confidence."

Henry's reaction immediately went viral.

That was on Tuesday. Three days later, FOX Sports' World Cup coverage began without Lalas, and host Rebecca Lowe immediately addressed the absence.

Related: Alexi Lalas Has a Major Likability Problem Amid FIFA World Cup Coverage

"Chaps, Alexi left us," she said, to which Ibrahimović responded with, "Who?"

Henry also took a jab.

"Your plan worked, Rebecca," he quipped, to which Lowe responded with, "Don't you bring me into this!"

Ibrahimović then went for the jugular.

"America, you're welcome," he said while looking straight into the camera.

May the Zlatan Lalas beef live on forever pic.twitter.com/84oHGDnh5M

— Alex Coleman (@DarkOfTheMovie) June 19, 2026

No one has made more fun playing keep away from Alexi Lalas pic.twitter.com/it0GY1duBA

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) June 19, 2026

Ibrahimović and Henry are new additions to FOX Sports' FIFA World Cup telecast team, and they seemingly can't get along with Lalas, the former MLS star who started in all four games for the U.S. Men's National team during the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

As for Lalas' absence. He was not demoted or fired.

Instead, Lalas was reassigned from the main studio desk to an on-site role. Ahead of the U.S.'s game against Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle, Lalas joined Carli Lloyd and Clint Dempsey for coverage outside the stadium.

It's unclear when Lalas will return to the studio. But Lowe assured viewers, "Alexi will be back. Alexi will be back very soon."

Much to Ibrahimović and Henry's chagrin?

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 8:03 PM.