Lineker booked as guest pundit for ITV’s World Cup coverage

Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter

Gary Lineker is set to make a surprise appearance as a guest pundit on ITV’s World Cup coverage of the Ivory Coast’s Group E match against Germany on Sunday.

It marks 13 months since the former England forward – who has been in New York recording daily episodes for his podcast The Rest is Football – left his role as the face of the long-running Premier League highlights show Match of the Day.

Lineker has taken part in the coverage of six World Cups, and his booking may come as a welcome boost for ITV after taking a lead over the BBC in terms of TV ratings since the latest tournament began last Thursday.

The broadcaster also recorded four of the five highest viewing figures for matches that took place in the first week of the tournament, according to The Guardian.

The 65-year-old left Match of the Day at the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season without a payoff after he apologised for sharing pro-Palestine content on social media that featured an illustration with antisemitic connotations.

Lineker said that he had not noticed the illustration in question, acknowledging his error of having amplified the material.

The BBC’s then-Director General, Tim Davie said upon his departure: “Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades.

“His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond. We want to thank him for the contribution he has made.”

Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany side take on Côte d’Ivoire at 21:00 (BST) at the BMO Field in Toronto, looking to make it two wins from as many group stage matches that would take them on their way to a place in the last 32 of the World Cup.

For more detailed reports, reaction, and analysis of the World Cup as it happens, head to our website and favourite our page on OneFootball.

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