BBC considering major MOTD format change after Gary Lineker exit as viewers left stunned by radical plans

Gary Lineker's exit from Match of the Day has been confirmed and it could lead to a major format change by the BBC in the future for the programme.

Lineker, 63, has been in the hotseat of the BBC's flagship football highlights show for some 25 years after he replaced Des Lynam back in 1999.

The former England, Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona striker has gone on to present Match of the Day on Saturday evenings to round-up the best of the day's Premier League action, as well as fronting the BBC's coverage of international tournaments like the World Cup and European Championships as Lineker went on to become an iconic broadcaster.

Reports emerged yesterday claiming that Lineker would be leaving the show after stepping away from the BBC by the end of 2026, following the conclusion of the next World Cup that year.

And it has today been confirmed that the former striker will indeed be stepping back from hosting Match of the Day at the end of this current season.

However, he will continue fronting the BBC's FA Cup coverage for the 2025/26 campaign, as well as continuing to host the MOTD Top Ten and the popular The Rest is Football podcasts and will also present the coverage of the 2026 World Cup.

Lineker said: "I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen."

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Alex Kay-Jelski, who is the Director of BBC Sport, said: "Gary is a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup.

"After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week.

"He’ll be hugely missed on the show but we’re so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football."

The question now many are asking is who will replace Lineker in the Match of the Day presenting hotseat, and the Daily Telegraph reports there could be a major change in format in a radical plan which would be a departure from what has gone before.

It is reported that a 'revolving cast' of presenters could share the duties of fronting the programme moving forwards, with Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, Alex Scott and Kelly Cates among those part of this group.

Though no final decision has yet been made, the newspaper reports BBC bosses are warming to the idea of sharing the presenting duties around, rather than having just one replacement for Lineker's iconic role.