News Focus
- Lineker joins ITV coverage for Saturday’s Germany versus Côte d’Ivoire clash
- First terrestrial TV appearance since leaving BBC after 26 years in 2025
- Currently based in New York recording Netflix podcast series
- ITV leads BBC in early World Cup ratings battle
Veteran broadcaster Gary Lineker is set to return to British television screens this weekend. The former Match of the Day host will appear as a guest pundit for ITV’s live broadcast of the World Cup group match between Germany and Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday evening. This marks his first role on free-to-air TV since his controversial exit from the BBC over a year ago.
The 64-year-old is currently working in New York City. He is recording daily episodes of his popular football podcast, The Rest is Football, for Netflix. ITV confirmed that Lineker will make a special visit to their Brooklyn studio for this one-off appearance.
Lineker ended his 26-year career with the BBC in 2025. He left following repeated conflicts with executives regarding his social media posts. Management accused him of violating the corporation’s editorial guidelines on several occasions.
This signing gives ITV a significant advantage over the BBC in the ongoing ratings war. The commercial channel has already secured four of the five largest television audiences for matches played during the tournament’s opening week. Lineker has recently criticised his former employer’s choice to anchor their World Cup coverage from a studio in Salford instead of broadcasting from the United States.
During his time at the BBC, Lineker presented coverage for six World Cup tournaments. No other single presenter has hosted more World Cup programmes for the corporation.