Gary Lineker, the long-standing host of Match of the Day, is set to leave the iconic BBC show at the end of the current football season.
Lineker, who has helmed the Premier League highlights program since 1999, will continue with the BBC until the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, set to take place across the US, Mexico, and Canada.
The 63-year-old former England striker took over Match of the Day from Des Lynam, establishing himself as a household name and one of the BBC’s most recognized sports figures. After the 2026 World Cup, he may continue with the BBC in a new capacity, potentially working on podcast projects.
Lineker’s tenure on Match of the Day hasn’t been without controversy. In March 2023, he was briefly suspended from the show after posting critical comments about the UK government’s asylum policies on social media. The suspension sparked a public debate, leading the BBC to review its social media guidelines, after which Lineker was reinstated.
Lineker, who has been the BBC’s highest-paid star in recent years, earned approximately £1.35 million during the 2023-24 financial year, primarily for his roles on Match of the Day and Sports Personality of the Year.
