Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not be in Sweden’s squad for the World Cup, the country’s Football Association has confirmed.
The 36-year-old striker, who recently left Manchester United to join the LA Galaxy, had hinted that he might resume his 116-cap career with Sweden, having retired from international duty two years ago.
But in a statement published on the Swedish men's football team's official Instagram page, national selectors said: "A final message: Zlatan will not play at the World Cup."
Sweden will line-up in Group F in the summer alongside Germany, Mexico and South Korea.
Marcus Berg, John Guidetti, Isaac Kiese Thelin and Ola Toivonen were Sweden's strikers during the qualification campaign and they will be favoured over Ibrahimovic.
Sweden World Cup 2018 betting (odds via Sky Bet)
- Sweden to win the World Cup - 100/1
- Sweden to win Group F - 6/1
- Sweden to finish runners-up in Group F - 2/1
- Group F - Germany winner, Sweden runner-up - 5/2
- Sweden to qualify from Group F - 11/8
Sweden boss Janne Andersson spoke to TYC Sport recently about Zlatan's World Cup chances and said: "Ibrahimovic said no to the national team.
"He was not going to be in the team after the European Championship, and I respected him.
"If you rejected the team, I do not think you should come back. I respect what he said and those who said 'yes'.
"(Ibrahimovic) has not called me, but he's definitely not included in the plans for the World Cup."
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Odds correct at 1345 BST (26/04/18)
