Gary Lineker discovers final appearance as BBC Sport presenter after MOTD snub
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The final of the 2026 World Cup will mark Gary Lineker's last-ever appearance as a BBC presenter. Having signed a new deal with the corporation in November, 64-year-old Lineker will stop hosting flagship show Match of the Day at the end of the 2024-25 season, with BBC chiefs already deciding who'll replace him. The ex-England striker's contract now runs until the end of the 2026 World Cup, with the BBC and ITV agreeing to share the television rights for the tournament as well as the 2030 edition.
The agreement will be the BBC provide live coverage and highlights across their TV channels and iPlayer. There'll also be audio commentary on Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds. ITV will also deliver free-to-air coverage of live fixtures across ITV1, ITV4 and ITVX, plus highlights. The two broadcasting giants will be able to show more games than ever before, as FIFA have expanded the World Cup to include 48 teams, meaning that fans will be able to feast on 104 games.
YOU DECIDE! Cast your vote for Fans' Footballer of the Year 2024. Lineker is set to be the BBC's lead presenter during the tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. The final of the tournament takes place on Sunday, July 19 in New Jersey, USA, and the occasion will be Lineker's farewell after 26 years working for the corporation.
He'll have led the BBC's coverage of the FA Cup and its final earlier in 2026. BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski said: "The World Cup is magical, something the whole planet stops to experience, and we can't wait to show it to audiences across all platforms.".
