Gary Lineker is not part of the BBC's coverage for this summer's World Cup, following a controversy that hastened his exit from the broadcaster. The former England striker's departure was accelerated after he reposted a video from a Palestine Lobby group about Zionism on Instagram. The post included an illustration of a rat, a graphic historically used as an antisemitic slur, which sparked intense public backlash and criticism.
Why did the BBC do a U-turn?
Lineker was originally scheduled to leave Match of the Day in May 2025 but was expected to continue hosting the FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup. However, after the social media controversy, he and BBC Director-General Tim Davie agreed that he would step back completely, ending his association with the broadcaster for the tournament.
Was it the first incident?
No. The incident was the final straw for BBC bosses after years of tension. Lineker had previously violated the BBC's strict impartiality guidelines, notably in 2023 when he was temporarily suspended for criticising the UK government's asylum policies on social media.
What has Lineker said?
Speaking on The Louis Theroux Podcast, Lineker described his 26-year relationship with the BBC as a marriage where both sides had "run out of love." He admitted that his social media mistake sped up an exit that was already inevitable.
Where's Lineker now?
Instead of traditional TV hosting, Lineker is focusing on his company, Goalhanger Podcasts. For the 2026 World Cup, he is fronting a daily version of The Rest Is Football podcast alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, which airs on Netflix.
Who is replacing Lineker on the BBC?
The BBC have four presenters—Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, and Alex Scott. Cates, Chapman, and Logan replaced Lineker as Match of the Day co-hosts for the Beeb. Logan is set to host the World Cup final.
