Gary Lineker will step down from his role as Match of the Day presenter at the end of the season, the BBC has confirmed.
The former England striker has spent 25 years as the face of the flagship programme, but the corporation announced his impending exit on Tuesday morning.
The 63-year-old will, though, host the BBC‘s coverage of the 2026 Fifa World Cup, subject to a rights deal, and the FA Cup through to 2025/26 after signing a new 18-month contract.
He will also continue hosting the MOTD Top Ten podcast, while the BBC will also host his The Rest is Football podcast on BBC Sounds.
BBC confirms Gary Lineker will leave Match of the Day
“I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen,” Lineker said.
Lineker, whose contract was coming to an end, had entered into negotiations over a new deal last month, but BBC News claims that the BBC “did not offer him a new contract for the show”, despite the fact he was “open” to staying on.
“We’re delighted that he’ll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup,” said Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport.
“After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from Match of the Day. We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week.
“He’ll be hugely missed on the show but we’re so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football.”
Lineker succeeded Des Lynam in the chair in 1999 and, aside from a three-year period when ITV owned the rights to broadcast Premier League highlights, has been an ever present fixture on Saturday nights.
