BBC add four shock names to Match of the Day as six absences explained

BBC have added four new additions to its Match of the Day pundits, with six names currently absent from the line up.

The iconic Premier League highlights show will return on Saturday for the first episode of the 2026/27 campaign, with Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan continuing to share hosting duties.

But there will be a total of four new faces on our screens analysing all the action in the English top flight.

The BBC have confirmed that after Thomas Frank, Ashley Young, Robbie Keane and Toby Alderweireld have joined the Match of the Day ranks for the new season.

Former Brentford and Spurs boss Frank was part of the BBC's World Cup coverage and impressed viewers with his analysis, while Ashley Young dipped his toe in with appearances on Sky Sports.

Well-travelled striker Keane is getting stuck into media duties after leaving his managerial position at Ferencvaros in Hungary, while Alderweireld is a surprise addition.

The Belgian, who made 200 appearances in the Premier League, has been working in punditry in his native country.

Why six names have not been featured on BBC's pundit list

Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Ellen White, Steph Houghton, Danny Murphy and Ashley Williams will all continue to appear on Match of the Day.

The release sent from the BBC did not include a number of regulars, with reports suggesting that Martin Keown, Dion Dublin, Shay Given, Stephen Warnock, Nedum Onuoha and Theo Walcott were being moved on to make way for the new voices.

However, The Athletic spoke to the BBC, who said that in the case of Given, Onuoha and Walcott, they are yet to sign contracts.

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A recent report from The Sun claimed that there were fears that some pundits were contemplating leaving to join the Rest is Football on Netflix, hosted by long-time Match of the Day anchor Gary Lineker.

The live shows on Netflix throughout the World Cup were a huge success, leading to the programme being kept on for the Premier League season with episodes on Mondays and Fridays.

Football Focus has been axed by the BBC after 26 years on the air but the broadcaster has announced a number of new formats on its YouTube channel.

'FANS²' is all about debate between passionate supporters, while 'The Truth About Football' focuses on 90-second episodes which will go "beyond the pitch to uncover the forces shaping the game. Using animation, tactics, data, history, psychology and culture".

Other new formats include 'Golden Goal', 'Football Hub' and 'Group Chat' and 'Game Changer' which return after being launched for the World Cup.

Another concept which has come back is 'The Football Interview', which sees James Maddison sit down with Kelly Somers for the first episode.

The first game of the new season sees champions Arsenal host newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday, while Hull City vs Manchester United, Ipswich Town vs Sunderland, Everton vs Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest vs Leeds and Brentford vs Spurs the games featuring on the first Match of the Day episode.

Sunday's action includes Manchester City's visit of Bournemouth, Brighton vs Aston Villa and Newcastle vs Liverpool, before the opening weekend concludes with the West London derby between Fulham and Chelsea.