Gary Lineker aims dig at BBC while opening up on controversial exit

Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker appeared to aim a dig at the BBC while discussing the broadcaster’s coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Former Everton, Leicester City, Barcelona, Spurs and England striker Lineker stepped down as host of the popular football highlights show Match of the Day back in May after 26 years of service. He was replaced by Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan, who now share hosting duties.

Despite no longer hosting the BBC’s flagship football show, Lineker still works in the media and regularly appears on The Rest Is Football podcast alongside fellow former professionals Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.

The podcast recently secured a daily show agreement with Netflix to record shows in New York City during the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

While discussing the deal during an appearance on James O’Brien’s LBC podcast Full Disclosure last month, the 65-year-old appeared to aim a subtle dig at the BBC, which will be providing coverage from its Salford headquarters rather than North America.

Gary Lineker left the BBC in May 2025 (Credit:Getty)

Addressing his controversial exit, which came after he shared an offensive Zionism post, Lineker said: “I was already doing the [podcast] anyway and then other offers started to come in reasonably quickly and, again, because people recognised it was a genuine error [his social media post].

“The truth is now, in hindsight – and I never would’ve wished this – but things have transpired. I’ve had Saturdays off, I’m going to do the World Cup for Netflix in New York, whilst the BBC are doing the World Cup in Salford, but things have turned out alright.”

As reported by The Sun, in December, Lineker’s deal with Netflix supposedly dwarfs the £1.35 million per year deal he had with the BBC.

The 65-year-old had been the broadcaster’s highest-paid employee by some distance.

The presenter has also revealed that he will be hosting a new ITV game show called The Box, which will air later in 2026.

“I’ve got a new series… a reality show, actually, which I’m hosting,” he explained.

“I’ve always been asked to go on reality shows and I’ve always said not until Ant & Dec retire or Claudia gives up.

“It’s called The Box and it’s a lot of fun. It’s genuinely something completely different to what I’ve done before. I liked the look of this idea. I think it’s really clever. It’s light-hearted and a lot of fun.”