Swedish football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic has thrown his full support behind two nations at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, overlooking traditional powerhouses Argentina and Portugal. The former Manchester United and FC Barcelona striker specifically backed Croatia and England to emerge from Group L, while suggesting that Ghana could cause an upset.
Ibrahimovic's Predictions for Group L
Speaking to beIN SPORTS, Ibrahimovic shared his thoughts on Group L, which features England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. He expressed confidence that Croatia and England would battle for the top spot, with Ghana potentially disrupting their plans. 'We have England. Is it coming home? We'll see. We have Croatia. I have some roots from Croatia as well, so I'm supporting them in this tournament,' Ibrahimovic said.
He added: 'We have Ghana. Big talent, let's see what they bring. We have Panama. Unfortunately, in this group, I think they will be the punching bag. England and Croatia will fight for the top spot, and Ghana might disturb them and take some points. But I don't see Panama.'
Ghana's Potential as a Surprise Package
Nigerian sports journalist Wale Mustapha echoed Ibrahimovic's sentiments, believing that Ghana has the quality to advance from the group stage. 'I am backing Ghana to advance from the group stage. They have quality players, and their coach has worked with some of the best footballers in the world,' Mustapha told Legit.ng. He emphasized that the match against Panama would be crucial for Ghana's qualification hopes.
Current FIFA Rankings
- England: 4th
- Croatia: 11th
- Panama: 34th
- Ghana: 73rd
Despite Ghana's lower ranking, Ibrahimovic and Mustapha both see the Black Stars as a team capable of springing a surprise. The 2026 World Cup kicked off on June 11 with Mexico defeating South Africa 2-0, followed by South Korea's 2-1 comeback win over the Czech Republic.
CAF's Message to Ghana
Earlier, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) sent a message of support to Ghana, one of 10 African representatives at the tournament. The World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
