Gary Lineker has made his debut as a guest pundit for ITV during their coverage of the World Cup. The 65-year-old, who spent 26 years as the face of the BBC’s Match of the Day, appeared alongside Laura Woods, Ian Wright, and Gary Neville for the broadcast of the Group E match between Germany and the Ivory Coast.
This appearance marks a notable transition for Lineker, who departed the BBC in May 2025. His move to ITV, the primary rival broadcaster in the UK, underscores the evolving landscape of football punditry. Lineker is currently based in New York City, where he is producing and hosting The Rest is Football podcast for Netflix under a deal with his production company, Goalhanger.
Lineker’s departure from the BBC followed a period of public controversy in 2024, during which he apologized for sharing a social media post that drew criticism for its use of imagery perceived as antisemitic. At the time, Lineker stated that he would never consciously share such content, but acknowledged the upset caused by the post.
While the BBC has historically led in viewership for major tournaments, the lines between broadcasters have become increasingly blurred. Several high-profile pundits, including Ian Wright and Micah Richards, have maintained roles across both networks. Lineker, who holds the record for the most World Cup goals scored by an English player, noted recently that the professional rivalry between broadcasters is less about competition and more about producing quality content for viewers.