Gary Lineker made a notable return to live football broadcast by appearing on ITV’s World Cup coverage on June 20, 2026, marking a significant moment nearly a year after his departure from the BBC. Lineker, 65, joined ITV as a special guest during the broadcast of Germany’s match against Ivory Coast in Toronto, delivering commentary alongside hosts Laura Woods and pundits Gary Neville, Ian Wright, and Duncan Ferguson.

Lineker’s appearance comes as the BBC’s coverage of the tournament has faced criticism from viewers, football analysts, and some within its own ranks, a contrast highlighted by the starkly different viewing experiences offered by ITV and the BBC. ITV’s World Cup programming has been praised for its high production values, including a studio featuring a backdrop of the Manhattan skyline, while the BBC’s coverage is centred in Salford, employing virtual sets with green screens to simulate the host cities.

After hosting the BBC’s flagship football programme Match of the Day for 25 years, Lineker was dismissed by the corporation in May 2025. His exit followed controversy over social media posts, including one that contained an anti-Semitic slur within a video about Zionism, for which Lineker has since apologized. The BBC’s director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, reportedly led the decision to end Lineker’s tenure, citing frustration with Lineker’s persistent social media activity and resistance to directives from management.

Since leaving the BBC, Lineker has expanded his media presence, hosting a podcast, The Rest Is Football, from New York and signing a Netflix deal reportedly worth £14 million. He recently joined ITV’s expanding football coverage and is set to present a new game show, The Box, scheduled to air later this year. The show features celebrities competing in physical and mental challenges, with eliminations decided through head-to-head duels.

During the ITV broadcast, Lineker humorously assumed the role of presenter, lightly mocking his former position at the BBC. He referenced his own studio in Times Square and praised ITV’s set, contrasting it with the BBC’s use of virtual backdrops. ITV insiders expressed satisfaction with Lineker’s involvement, noting that his presence has bolstered their World Cup broadcasts and contributed to robust ratings, including over 15 million viewers for England’s opening match against Croatia.

The BBC’s decision not to deploy its presenting team on location until the tournament’s quarter-finals, aiming to reduce costs, has drawn internal and external criticism. Presenters Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates, and Mark Chapman have assumed lead presenting duties from Salford, a shift that some view as less engaging compared to ITV’s more immersive setup.

Lineker’s move to ITV is seen by some as both a career reset and a pointed rebuke of his former employer amid ongoing debates about the role of social media in sports broadcasting careers. His high-profile debut on rival network coverage underscores ITV’s ambitions to challenge the BBC’s longstanding predominance in football broadcasting.