Gary Lineker sparks BBC rivalry with ITV World Cup punditry move
Former BBC host Gary Lineker, who left in 2025 after 26 years on *Match of the Day*, will appear as a pundit on ITV’s 2026 World Cup coverage for the Germany vs. Ivory Coast match. He also hosts Netflix’s *The Rest is Football* daily from New York, mocking BBC’s cost-based Salford studio. Lineker’s switch to a direct competitor and his X-rated jabs at former co-hosts underscore ongoing tension with the BBC and a major shift in football broadcasting.
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Gary Lineker makes ITV World Cup guest appearance and takes aim at BBC
Gary Lineker, who left the BBC in 2025 after 26 years presenting Match of the Day, made a guest appearance on ITV during the 2026 World Cup. During the broadcast of Germany's Group E match against Ivory Coast, Lineker joked with anchor Laura Woods, slipping in a dig at his former employer by saying 'Another day, another game, another channel...' He also praised ITV's New York studio backdrop, subtly criticizing the BBC's decision to base its World Cup coverage in Salford. The appearance was light-hearted but highlighted lingering resentment over his abrupt departure from the BBC.
Yardbarker: SoccerGary Lineker's 'shut the f*** up' rejoinder to BBC 'traitor' taunt after ITV World Cup cameo
Former BBC Match of the Day host Gary Lineker made a surprise appearance on ITV's 2026 World Cup coverage, taking jabs at his former employer by praising ITV's studio setup. Following the cameo, on his Netflix show 'The Rest Is Football', co-host Micah Richards jokingly called him a 'traitor' for leaving the BBC after 26 years. Lineker retorted with 'shut the f*** up' before turning off Richards' monitor, then explained he appeared on ITV to promote his upcoming show 'The Box' and the Netflix series. The exchange highlights Lineker's ongoing strained relationship with the BBC after his controversial departure last year.
Mirror - FootballGary Lineker's ITV cameo: Banter, BBC barbs and a reminder of why he was King of the Box
Gary Lineker made a surprise appearance on ITV's World Cup coverage, marking his return to British terrestrial television after leaving the BBC at the end of the 2025/26 Premier League season. The appearance was prompted by Lineker's impartiality breaches on social media, which led to his BBC exit. During the ITV cameo, Lineker engaged in banter with presenter Laura Woods and former BBC colleague Ian Wright, made subtle digs at the BBC's Salford-based remote broadcasting setup, and promoted his upcoming ITV game show 'The Box,' set to launch in September 2026. The article also notes Lineker's successful media company Goalhanger and his podcast/Netflix ventures, while contrasting the scale of his current streaming audience with traditional TV viewership.
Soccer - The AthleticGary Lineker's ITV Cameo: Banter, BBC Barbs, and a Reminder of Why He Was King of the Box
Gary Lineker made a surprise guest appearance on ITV's coverage of the 2026 World Cup, marking his return to terrestrial television after leaving the BBC. During the segment, Lineker engaged in light-hearted banter with host Laura Woods and former colleague Ian Wright, while also taking subtle jabs at the BBC's remote broadcasting setup in Salford. The article by Greg O'Keeffe for The Athletic reflects on Lineker's transition from BBC lead presenter to media entrepreneur through his Goalhanger production company, citing his departure following a dispute over political tweets. Lineker's cameo promotes his upcoming ITV game show 'The Box' and is framed as nostalgic entertainment, underscored by his ongoing success in the podcast and streaming space.
Soccer - The AthleticGary Lineker's ITV cameo: Banter, BBC barbs and a reminder of why he was King of the Box
Former BBC presenter Gary Lineker made a surprise guest appearance on ITV's World Cup coverage, marking his first return to a major UK broadcast network since leaving the BBC amid impartiality disputes. The appearance, described as a 'shock' cameo, featured Lineker bantering with presenters Laura Woods and Ian Wright, and included subtle jabs at the BBC's remote production setup in Salford. The piece highlights Lineker's transition from BBC mainstay to media mogul via his Goalhanger production company, and previews his upcoming ITV game show 'The Box', set to launch in September 2026. The article also notes the modest ratings of his daily streaming show.
Soccer - The AthleticGary Lineker's brief ITV World Cup cameo leaves viewers confused
Gary Lineker made a surprise 20-minute appearance on ITV's World Cup coverage for the Germany vs Ivory Coast match, leaving viewers confused when he disappeared before kick-off. The former BBC pundit, who left the BBC 12 months ago over social media policy disputes, promoted his upcoming ITV show 'The Box' and made a subtle dig at his former employer by stating he 'hasn't done TV for a little while.' Social media users expressed bewilderment at his early exit, while others praised ITV's superior coverage compared to the BBC. Lineker is currently in the United States following a Netflix deal for the World Cup and co-hosts the podcast 'The Rest Is Football.'
Mirror - Football'Gary, That's My Job': Lineker Makes ITV Presenting Cameo on World Cup Coverage
Gary Lineker, the former BBC Match of the Day presenter who left the corporation in May 2026, made a special guest appearance on ITV's World Cup coverage on June 20, 2026, serving as a pundit for the Germany vs. Côte d'Ivoire Group E match. He began his segment with a playful cameo as a presenter, joking with host Laura Woods who interjected 'Gary, that's my job!'—to which Lineker replied 'Old habits!' The segment included a look back at Lineker's World Cup history, including his 1986 Golden Boot and the 'Hand of God' match. Lineker also commented on Harry Kane tying his England World Cup goal record of 10 goals, praising Kane as a superior all-round striker. He complimented ITV's New York studio backdrop with the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline, taking a subtle jab at the BBC's World Cup broadcast from Salford. Coverage featured a panel including Duncan Ferguson, Gary Neville, and Ian Wright.
Football | The GuardianGary Lineker Makes Cameo as Presenter on ITV World Cup Coverage
Gary Lineker made a brief, light-hearted cameo as a presenter on ITV's World Cup coverage on Saturday night, pretending to host the broadcast instead of Laura Woods. The appearance marked his return to free-to-air television after leaving the BBC last May, where he had presented Match of the Day for 26 years. Lineker, whose guest role on ITV was announced on Friday, served as a pundit for the Group E match between Germany and Côte d'Ivoire. The playful interaction included Woods humorously reminding Lineker, 'Gary, that's my job,' as he briefly took over her role behind the desk.
Football | The GuardianGary Lineker's Instant Dig at BBC in ITV World Cup Appearance
Gary Lineker, who left the BBC in 2025 after over 20 years as the face of Match of the Day, made a surprise guest appearance on ITV's World Cup coverage for the Germany vs Ivory Coast match. Seconds into the broadcast, Lineker took a subtle dig at his former employer, praising ITV's rooftop studio overlooking the New York and Brooklyn skyline as 'absolutely amazing' and 'real,' implicitly criticizing the BBC's remote studio setup in Salford, England. Lineker had been presenting daily episodes of The Rest Is Football for Netflix from Times Square and noted he 'desperately wanted to come and see the set' and 'do TV,' having not done it 'for a little while.' The appearance marks his move to the BBC's direct rival over a year after his full departure from the broadcaster.
Mirror - FootballGary Lineker to make one-off ITV World Cup punditry appearance after leaving BBC
Gary Lineker is set to make a surprise appearance as a guest pundit on ITV's coverage of the 2026 World Cup match between Germany and Ivory Coast on June 20. This marks his first return to UK terrestrial television since leaving the BBC in May 2025. Lineker, currently based in New York hosting 'The Rest Is Football' podcast, will join ITV's rooftop studio located minutes away. His booking is seen as a major coup for ITV, which has already taken an early lead over the BBC in World Cup ratings. Lineker recently mocked the BBC for anchoring its coverage from a Salford studio he called 'a green box'. The appearance is understood to be a one-off cameo, as Lineker remains committed to a daily Netflix broadcast schedule for the rest of the tournament.
Mirror - FootballGary Lineker's World Cup Dig at BBC as He Takes ITV Punditry Role
Former BBC host Gary Lineker is set to appear as a pundit on ITV's 2026 World Cup coverage, just a year after his high-profile exit from the BBC. Lineker had originally been scheduled to anchor the BBC's World Cup coverage but permanently parted ways with the corporation in 2025 after a controversial social media incident. He publicly mocked the BBC's decision to base its World Cup studio in Salford instead of broadcasting live from North America, joking he would have been stuck in a 'green box.' The BBC defended the decision on cost grounds and revealed a high-tech virtual studio. Since leaving, Lineker signed a £14 million Netflix deal for his podcast 'The Rest Is Football,' recorded daily from New York, and hosts a new ITV game show 'The Box.' His move to ITV marks a significant blow to the BBC.
Mirror - FootballGary Lineker to appear as special guest on ITV during World Cup broadcast
Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker will appear as a special guest on ITV's World Cup coverage for the Germany vs. Ivory Coast match on Saturday evening. This marks his first appearance on terrestrial television since leaving the BBC 13 months ago. Lineker is currently in New York recording daily episodes of The Rest is Football podcast for Netflix and has agreed to a one-off appearance in ITV's Brooklyn studio. The booking is considered a coup for ITV, which has taken an early lead in TV ratings against the BBC during the first week of the tournament. Lineker, who presented six World Cups for the BBC, has been critical of his former employer's decision to anchor its coverage in Salford. He left the BBC in 2025 after clashes over social media use.
Football | The GuardianGary Lineker to Cover World Cup for ITV, Direct Competitor to Former Employer BBC
Gary Lineker, the 65-year-old former England striker, is expected to appear as a pundit on ITV's World Cup coverage, joining a direct competitor to his former employer, the BBC. Lineker worked for the BBC for 26 years, hosting 'Match of the Day,' and left in May 2025. He will likely feature in ITV's broadcast of the Group E match between Germany and Ivory Coast from a studio in Brooklyn, New York. During the World Cup, Lineker is also hosting 'The Rest is Football' podcast in New York with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards; his production company Goalhanger signed a £14 million deal with Netflix for a daily World Cup special. Lineker's departure from the BBC followed criticism for retweeting a post with a mouse emoji, widely seen as an antisemitic slur, for which he issued an unreserved apology. Lineker compared the rivalry between his podcast and others to the BBC-ITV dynamic during World Cups, noting that he now views such competition as 'absurd.' He is not the first pundit to appear on both networks, joining Ian Wright, Micah Richards, Karen Carney, and Lee Dixon.
虎扑 - 足球Gary Lineker to appear as pundit on ITV World Cup coverage after BBC exit
Gary Lineker, former BBC Match of the Day presenter, is set to make a surprise appearance as a pundit on ITV's World Cup coverage. The move comes just over a year after his departure from the BBC. According to an Independent report, Lineker will appear on ITV for Saturday night's Group E match between Germany and Ivory Coast. Lineker is currently in New York presenting daily episodes of 'The Rest is Football' for Netflix. His switch to BBC's direct rival ITV is seen as a major blow to the BBC. The article, published by Mirror Football on June 19, 2026, describes this as a shock development in football broadcasting.
Mirror - FootballGary Lineker aims new jibe at BBC with X-rated message to Alan Shearer and Micah Richards
Gary Lineker, who left the BBC in May 2025 after 26 years hosting Match of the Day, aimed a dig at the broadcaster during the first episode of his new Netflix show 'The Rest is Football' for the 2026 World Cup. During a conversation about Harry Kane potentially winning the Golden Boot, co-hosts Micah Richards and Alan Shearer teased Lineker about his relevance. Shearer told Lineker he is 'not f*****g relevant anymore' since leaving the BBC, to which Lineker retorted that moving to Netflix is 'a step in the right direction' and told both to 'f*** off'. The exchange highlights Lineker's ongoing tension with the BBC and his transition to streaming platforms.
Mirror - Football