A FIFA World Cup soccer broadcast quickly unraveled Tuesday after Fox analyst and former U.S. professional player Landon Donovan called the French team “arrogant.”
With the first round match tied at 0-0 at halftime, Donovan suggested the French team was not taking its opponent seriously, describing its play as “arrogant” and “casual.”
Thierry Henry, a fellow analyst and former French player who is considered one of the best soccer players of all time, took objection to the claim. (RELATED: The World Cup Is Here — Time To Hit Peak Degeneracy)
“I just don’t get it. Just because you are not 1-0, 2-0, or 3-0 up after 15 minutes, those words don’t have to come out,” Henry remarked, according to Talk Sport. “Let’s concentrate on the game. We all knew what was going to happen. If people don’t know how Senegal can play and how good Senegal are, that’s on them.”
France went on to defeat Senegal 3-1, and the sting from Donovan’s insult to the French team continued to linger with the Fox analysts.
Former USMNT player Alexi Lalas said, “We can have that discussion, but the reality is, if they are arrogant, it’s because they can do things like that.”
Analyst and former Swedish player Zlatan Ibrahimovic was less subtle in his criticism, calling Donovan’s words “ignorant.”
“It’s not arrogance, it’s confidence,” Ibrahimovic said of the French team. “Ignorant people say it’s arrogance. Intelligent people will say it’s confidence.”
Zlatan 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/tgeGZ28Xg1
— Dave Seperson (@DaveSeperson) June 16, 2026
The rest of the panel was visibly shocked at Ibrahimovic’s sharp words for his fellow Fox employee. Henry’s expression said it all, as he stared wide-eyed directly into the camera.
This is not the first time the Fox crew has found itself at the center of attention. Alexi Lalas called James Corden a “full kit wanker,” to the dismay of the Fox panel. (Related: Interviewer Asks Two Democratic Candidates Who They’re Rooting For In World Cup. Neither Say America)
Back on the field, the France-Senegal match featured Kylian Mbappé scoring two goals, bringing his World Cup total up to 14 — third all time and the most for any Frenchman. Only Cristiano Ronaldo, with 15, and Lionel Messi and Miroslav Klose, both with 16, have more World Cup goals, per ESPN.
France’s next match is set to take place on June 22 against Iraq.