The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand has referred to Alexi Lalas as one of the “most unlikeable people” he’s ever covered on TV.He also questioned Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s work on FOX, but said there was potential in the former striker, during an appearance on The Athletic FC: Daily Cup, which is available on Fire TV or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Ibrahimovic, the former Sweden international, and Lalas, who represented the USMNT, have been two of the in-studio centerpieces of FOX’s World Cup coverage, but their work has been criticized by media pundits. When Lalas was used outside of the studio during the USMNT’s win over, Ibrahimovic joked: “America, you’re welcome”.Lalas playing for the USMNT (Getty Images)And Marchand told The Athletic FC: Daily Cup, “Alexi Lalas is really smug and that’s an issue when you’re on TV. He’s sitting next to a couple of legends in Zlatan, and Thierry Henry, and Rebecca Lowe as the host.

“You have to really bring insight and great content if you don’t have the playing credentials, and he doesn’t really. There’s not as much insight as you’d like. In my time covering the sports medium, watching sports, he’s one of the most unlikeable people ever on TV.”Ibrahimovic playing for Sweden (Getty Images)On Ibrahimovic, he added: “He doesn’t appear to know that much (in the way of) specifics about the players or the teams. That limits him a lot.“He did show some signs over the weekend. He’s talking about a goalscorer who was just right in front for a chance and he said you aim for the head, which was a killer comment to hear from him. And so he has potential, and I still think he can get better.”Aside from Marchand speaking about FOX’s pundits, Monday’s episode of The Athletic FC: Daily Cup also featured interviews with Paul Tenorio about his time with Mauricio Pochettino and James Horncastle on Lionel Messi and how he’s managed to prepare for this World Cup.Let us know below: Does Lalas work better in or out of the studio?Jun 22, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms