Gary Lineker is set to appear during ITV’s coverage of the World Cup following his departure from the BBC. Multiple outlets report that the former Match of the Day presenter left the BBC after 26 years with the broadcaster, with his exit taking place in May 2025. The Independent and The Mirror say the planned appearance is for ITV’s World Cup coverage, including Germany’s match against Ivory Coast, while other reports describe it as a guest-style appearance rather than a long-term role.
Other coverage notes that Lineker remains active in football media. The Independent adds that he has been linked with Netflix for World Cup content via his podcast, The Rest Is Football. The reporting in the Daily Mail frames the ITV appearance as a notable move given Lineker’s prior BBC role, referring to his departure in the context of a past controversy, though the other sources focus more directly on the broadcaster switch and match-specific coverage.
Overall, the sources agree that Lineker is joining ITV coverage temporarily as a World Cup pundit after leaving the BBC.
