Lineker's ITV Pundit Debut
Gary Lineker Joins ITV World Cup Coverage as Pundit, Reflecting on Golden Boot and Kane.
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Gary Lineker made a surprise appearance on ITV on June 20, 2026, jokingly "hijacking" the opening of its World Cup broadcast before host Laura Woods stepped in. "Thank you for joining us on ITV for this one, another day, another game, another channel," Lineker quipped, before Woods shot back: "Woah, woah, woah Gary — that's my job!" according to Mirror.
The cameo came just over a year after Lineker ended his 26-year run as the face of BBC's Match of the Day in May 2025. He now hosts The Rest is Football podcast for Netflix from a Times Square studio — a stone's throw from ITV's own rooftop studio in Brooklyn, The Guardian reported.
From BBC Icon to ITV Surprise Guest in 13 Months
Lineker left the BBC in May 2025 after a social media post featuring an antisemitic illustration caused a public fallout. He apologized, saying he had not knowingly shared anything antisemitic, The Guardian reported. The split ended one of British television's longest-running partnerships.
By April 2026, Lineker was already taking shots at his former employer. He mocked the BBC's decision to cover the 2026 World Cup from its Salford studios, calling it a "green box" compared to being on location in North America, according to Manchester Evening News. ITV, meanwhile, built a physical rooftop studio in Brooklyn with a real Manhattan skyline behind it.
BBC's Salford "Green Box" vs. ITV's Brooklyn Rooftop
The 2026 World Cup — hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico — has turned into a broadcasting battle between the UK's two main channels. The BBC stayed in Salford to save money, using virtual screens to fake host city skylines. ITV flew its team to New York and set up a real outdoor studio. The Guardian noted ITV grabbed four of the five highest-rated World Cup broadcasts in the tournament's first week.
BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski defended the Salford setup, citing "financial constraints." BBC presenter Gabby Logan also pushed back on Lineker's "green box" jabs, saying it wouldn't "harm coverage" to not be on-site, Manchester Evening News reported. But Lineker's ITV cameo made the BBC's position harder to defend.
Harry Kane Matches Lineker's 10-Goal World Cup Record
During his ITV appearance, Lineker was asked about Harry Kane equalling his record of 10 World Cup goals for England. Kane scored a brace against Croatia in England's 4-2 opening win on June 17, reaching the milestone, according to Goal.com. Lineker had held the record alone since 1986.
Rather than defend his legacy, Lineker was generous. He praised Kane as "our best ever number nine" and a "way better all-round player" than himself, Daily Echo reported. Lineker also reflected on his own 1986 World Cup golden boot and his role in the infamous "Hand of God" game against Argentina.
One-Off Cameo or the Start of Something Bigger at ITV?
ITV billed the appearance as a one-off special guest slot for the Germany vs. Ivory Coast match. But Lineker is already set to host a new ITV game show called The Box later in 2026, Daily Express reported. That makes this punditry cameo look less like a random visit and more like a soft launch for a new role.
Lineker's £14 million Netflix deal for The Rest is Football gives him the financial freedom to "drop in" on broadcasters rather than sign long-term contracts, The Guardian noted. Fans on social media compared his ITV appearance to an EastEnders actor turning up in Coronation Street. Whether it becomes a regular arrangement, only time will tell.
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