Gary Lineker is set to step down as host of Match of the Day after 25 years.
It's been confirmed that the former striker, who has hosted the BBC football highlights show since 1999, will exit his long-running role at the end of the season.
However, he will continue to work with the BBC, leading the 2026 World Cup coverage and hosting BBC Sport’s coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025/26 season.
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The presenter will also continue with the MOTD Top Ten podcast, while the BBC will host Lineker's The Rest Is Football podcast on BBC Sounds.
"I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen," Lineker said in a statement.
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Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, added: "Gary is a world-class presenter, and 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."
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He continued: "After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. 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."
Rumours of Lineker's exit from MOTD first began circulating last month, to which the presenter responded by confirming he would soon be having "conversations" over his contract.
"I'm coming to the end of my contract in the summer," he said on his The Rest Is Football podcast at the time. "So it's natural at some point that you have to have conversations, and they've just started. So I don't know why it all spiralled out of control."
Match of the Day airs on Saturdays on BBC One.
Social Executive, Entertainment Portfolio After completing her joint honours degree in Journalism and English Literature at Cardiff University, Iona joined Digital Spy as a Content Production Intern in 2022, where she wrote across both news and features, specialising in TV and movies. Following her internship, Iona continued contributing to the site as a freelance reporter, becoming social executive for the Hearst UK entertainment portfolio in summer 2025. Iona now leads the DS social channels, covering red carpets with stars such as Paul Mescal, Austin Butler, and more.
