Gary Lineker is reportedly set to be part of ITV's World Cup coverage following his high-profile BBC exit last year. The former Match of the Day host has agreed to a surprise punditry appearance for the BBC's direct rival during a weekend World Cup broadcast.
BBC Exit Details
Lineker permanently cut ties with the BBC in 2025, ending his 26-year career with the corporation. This decision followed a controversial social media incident where he unknowingly shared a post containing an anti-Semitic trope.
Initial World Cup Plans
Before completely cutting ties, Lineker was originally scheduled to anchor the BBC's coverage of the 2026 World Cup. However, both parties agreed he would step away entirely from all future sports presenting after his final Match of the Day season.
Studio Criticism
Lineker publicly mocked the BBC's decision to base its World Cup studio in Salford, Greater Manchester, instead of broadcasting live from North America. He joked that remaining with the broadcaster would have left him working from a restrictive 'green box.'
The BBC's Defence
BBC presenter Gabby Logan defended the decision to stay in the United Kingdom, explaining that flying the studio setup out early was far too expensive. BBC's director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, later hit back by stating the public wouldn't notice a difference in broadcasting quality and that spending tax money on a Dallas studio would be hard to justify.
Virtual Studio
The BBC countered the 'green box' criticism by revealing a high-tech studio equipped with a massive panoramic screen and augmented reality features. This setup creates a virtual illusion that mimics the actual skylines of the 16 hosting World Cup cities, even utilising fans to simulate local locations.
Netflix and Podcast Ventures
Since his departure, Lineker has kept busy by signing a £14 million deal with Netflix to broadcast The Rest Is Football podcast alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. This deal allows the trio to record and release episodes daily from a studio based directly in New York City during the tournament.
New Entertainment Role
In addition to sports media, Lineker has ventured into light entertainment as the host of a new ITV game show called The Box. The program features celebrity contestants who are locked inside yellow boxes and transported to unknown locations to complete unpredictable challenges.
Shock ITV Punditry Move
Lineker is reportedly set to make a surprise punditry appearance for ITV during a weekend World Cup broadcast. He has already praised the network on his podcast for refusing to cut to commercial breaks during FIFA's mandated three-minute player hydration intervals.
