Zlatan Ibrahimovic betting partnership could derail World Cup ambitions

Zlatan Ibrahimovic could reportedly be prohibited from representing Sweden at this summer's World Cup finals due to his affiliation with a betting company.

The Los Angeles Galaxy striker, who previously hinted at plans to reverse his retirement from international football to take part in the tournament, is an ambassador for Malta-licensed gambling operator Bethard, The Mirror reports.

FIFA's gambling regulations, however, state that anyone connected to a betting organisation is prohibited from being involved in a major international tournament.

The governing body's code of ethics states: "Persons bound by this code shall be forbidden from taking part in, either directly or indirectly, or otherwise being associated with, betting, gambling, lotteries and similar events or transactions connected with football matches.

"They are forbidden from having stakes, either actively or passively, in companies, concerns, organisations, etc. that promote, broker, arrange or conduct such events on transactions."

Ibrahimovic made a blistering start to his LA Galaxy career, netting twice on his debut as his side overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat city rivals Los Angeles FC 3-2.