The BBC has revealed its cast of pundits for Match of the Day for the 2026/27 Premier League season, with four new faces joining the show and six familiar names not included in the lineup.
New and Returning Pundits
According to the BBC, the returning pundits for the upcoming season are Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Ellen White, Steph Houghton, Danny Murphy and Ashley Williams.
The four new pundits joining the rotating cast are Ashley Young, Robbie Keane, Toby Alderweireld and Thomas Frank. However, Martin Keown, Dion Dublin, Shay Given, Stephen Warnock, Nedum Onuoha and Theo Walcott were not included.
Excluded Pundits' Roles and Rumors
According to The Mirror, the excluded names will continue to have roles in the BBC's football programming. This follows claims from The Sun that several MOTD analysts were considering leaving to join Gary Lineker's upcoming Netflix programme, The Rest Is Football.
BBC stalwarts Richards and Shearer frequently appeared on Lineker's show throughout the World Cup, splitting their commitments between both platforms. The report also suggested there were disputes between unnamed MOTD pundits and BBC head of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.
The broadcaster dismissed these claims in an official statement, saying: "We have repeatedly told The Sun these anonymous claims are untrue and we look forward to bringing audiences the return of Match of the Day this weekend with its established line-up of presenters and pundits – alongside a host of new guest voices bringing fresh insight from inside the game."
New Supporter-Focused Programme
Alongside these developments, the BBC will unveil a new supporter-focused programme featuring every Premier League club. The broadcaster explains that this supporter collective will "put supporters at the heart of the football conversation."
Kay-Jelski remarked on the coverage, explaining that fans will be positioned "at the heart" of their programming. He said: "Football means something different to every fan, and this season BBC Sport is putting those fans even more firmly at the heart of the game.
"We're bringing together the unrivalled expertise of former players and managers with the passion, personality and perspectives of supporters themselves to create a richer football experience wherever and however audiences follow the game.
"There are new shows, new voices and new ways to get closer to the action – alongside the trusted coverage millions of fans already turn to, from Match of the Day to BBC Radio 5 Live. Whether you want the big debate, the inside story, the fan perspective or simply every goal, BBC Sport will be there all season."
