Gary Lineker made a surprise guest appearance on ITV's World Cup coverage of the Germany vs Ivory Coast match on Saturday evening, marking his first terrestrial television role since leaving the BBC last year.
Lineker's Move to ITV
The former England striker, who fronted Match of the Day for over two decades, joined ITV's punditry team for the Group E encounter. ITV has based its World Cup coverage in Brooklyn, New York, where Lineker is currently working on his podcast The Rest Is Football alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
Lineker, 65, stepped away from the BBC in 2025 after more than 25 years as the face of the broadcaster's football coverage. His appearance on ITV comes after he publicly criticised the BBC's decision to present much of its World Cup coverage from its Salford studios rather than from North America, describing remote broadcasts as lacking atmosphere.
Role During Broadcast
ITV has not revealed the exact role Lineker played during the broadcast, but reports suggest he featured as a special guest during coverage of the Germany vs Ivory Coast match. ITV's World Cup coverage has enjoyed strong viewing figures during the opening week of the tournament, with several broadcasts among the most-watched matches so far.
For viewers, Lineker's appearance represents a rare sight: one of British football broadcasting's most recognisable figures appearing on a rival channel after spending more than 25 years synonymous with BBC football coverage.
