Ibrahimovic will not play at the World Cup, says Swedish FA

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not come out of international retirement to play at the World Cup, the Swedish Football Association says.

The 36-year-old ended his Sweden career after Euro 2016 but there have been suggestions he could make a shock return in time for this year’s finals in Russia.

Ibrahimovic, now of LA Galaxy, said he would definitely be at the tournament in some capacity during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

However, it appears he will not be part of head coach Janne Andersson’s playing squad.

A statement released by the Swedish FA on Facebook confirmed: “Sweden’s greatest goalscorer of all time for the national team will NOT play at the World Cup.”

Speaking last week, Andersson said he had not spoken to Ibrahimovic about a return but insisted the final decision on the squad would be his.

“[Ibrahimovic] has not said to me yet that he wants to play,” Andersson told Bild am Sonntag. “If he has made the decision, he can call me and talk to me about it, just like the others who retired after Euro 2016.”

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