Gary Lineker, the former England footballer and long-time BBC presenter, has made his first major television appearance since leaving the BBC, joining ITV's coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The move was confirmed by ITV on June 20, 2026, ahead of the tournament's start.
Lineker, who hosted the BBC's 'Match of the Day' for over two decades, left the network in 2025 following a dispute over impartiality rules. His new role at ITV involves presenting key matches and analysis segments during the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
ITV's head of sport, Jonathan Licht, said in a statement: 'We are delighted to welcome Gary to the ITV sport team. His expertise and passion for football are unmatched, and we look forward to his contributions during this exciting tournament.' Lineker himself commented: 'I'm thrilled to be back covering the World Cup with ITV. It's a fantastic opportunity.'
The appearance marks a significant shift in British sports broadcasting, as Lineker had been synonymous with BBC football coverage since 1999. His departure from the BBC was widely covered in the media, with debates over presenter neutrality and social media use.
As of June 21, 2026, Lineker is scheduled to present several live matches for ITV, including the opening game and the final. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
