Gary Lineker has said he feels he is 'not treading on so many eggshells' since leaving the BBC last year. The former England captain and Match of the Day host stepped down in May 2025 after 26 years, following controversy over his political comments on social media, including an Instagram post about Zionism that was criticised as antisemitic.
Lineker will now present a daily TV show called The Rest Is Football on Netflix during the 2026 World Cup, alongside Micah Richards and Alan Shearer. The show is produced by his company Goalhanger Podcasts. He said: 'I've got a bit more time, I'm not treading on quite so many eggshells these days, I'm allowed an opinion on things.'
He criticised the BBC's decision to keep most of its presenters and pundits in the UK until the final week of the tournament, saying he was 'a bit surprised'. However, he added: 'I think the BBC and ITV both, obviously, cover football brilliantly.'
Lineker also expressed concerns about the US co-hosting the tournament, given President Donald Trump's actions, including the war with Iran, a competing nation. He said: 'I am a little bit more nervous about this one, than others, for obvious reasons.'
