Zlatan Ibrahimović makes shocking USMNT World Cup prediction

The United States men’s national team have looked like a machine through their first two matches at the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup. The USMNT executed a dream 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their opener last Friday, June 12, and carried that momentum through to a 2-0 win over Australia on Friday, June 19. Now, they’re already through to the knockout stage with one group matchup left on the schedule, and U.

S. soccer fans have dreams of watching their team make their deepest-ever run at a men’s World Cup.It’s not just American delusion, however.

After the USMNT topped Australia, FOX studio host Rebecca Lowe asked Zlatan Ibrahimović whether the U.S. is capable of winning this World Cup.

“Yes,” said the Swedish and international footballing legend.AC Milan’s Swedish senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic smiles prior to the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Inter Milan at San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on March 8, 2026. (Photo by Stefano RELLANDINI / AFP via Getty Images)“If you didn’t believe before, I will repeat: Start believing,” Ibrahimović said separately during the FOX postgame broadcast.

“They have the country behind them, and when you have this support, it’s difficult to beat you. And that is what they need. They just need to continue, bring confidence from game to game.”

“If you didn’t believe before, I will repeat. Start believing. They have the country behind them, and when you have this support, it’s difficult to beat you.”

-Zlatan @Ibra_official on the @USMNT advancing 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/RlNKittLD2— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 19, 2026The USMNT will win Group D if Paraguay beat or draw against Turkiye on Friday night.

If Turkiye win, then the USMNT will need a result against Turkiye at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on on Thursday, June 25. If the USMNT win the group, in whatever fashion it happens, they will earn the benefit of facing a third-place finisher from the group stage, which dramatically helps the odds of reaching t