Gary Lineker made a surprise pundit appearance on ITV's World Cup coverage, taking a sly dig at his former employer BBC by calling ITV's set 'absolutely amazing.' The former Match of the Day host appeared as a guest pundit for the World Cup clash between Germany and Ivory Coast.
Lineker's Move to ITV
Lineker had been following the tournament from New York, where he has been presenting daily episodes of The Rest Is Football for Netflix. He had originally planned to remain involved with the BBC's World Cup coverage after stepping down from Match of the Day, but it was announced in May of last year that he would be cutting ties with the broadcaster entirely. His appearance on ITV marks a move to the BBC's direct rival just over a year after his departure.
Criticism of BBC's World Cup Setup
Lineker's appearance comes amid criticism of the BBC's World Cup setup, with their studio based in Salford, England, rather than on-site in the United States. ITV, by contrast, are broadcasting from a rooftop studio overlooking the New York and Brooklyn skyline. During the coverage, Lineker said: "I've been doing a show daily for Netflix in Times Square but I did desperately want to come and see your set. I think it's absolutely amazing, and I can confirm that it's real. What a backdrop. And obviously I wanted to do TV, I haven't done it for a little while."
Impact on BBC and ITV
This move highlights the rivalry between the two broadcasters and Lineker's shift to a direct competitor. It also underscores the BBC's decision to remain in Salford while ITV opted for a more immersive on-site experience in New York. The development is likely to fuel further debate about the BBC's approach to major sporting events.
