Gary Lineker agrees new BBC contract as plans confirmed ahead of Match of the Day exit

On Monday, The Sun broke the news that Lineker would be leaving MOTD next summer - but would be staying on with the Beeb to front their coverage of the next World Cup, which is due to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Now, the BBC have confirmed that Lineker, whose current deal had been due to expire next year, has penned an 18-month extension.

A BBC spokesperson said: "The BBC and Gary Lineker have agreed in principle a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup.

"Gary will lead the coverage of the tournament, as England once again try to land a first major trophy since 1966, the other Home Nations look to qualify and Lionel Messi aims to retain the trophy he won with Argentina.

"Gary will also host BBC Sport’s coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025/26 season, 35 years on from lifting the trophy as a player.

"After a quarter of a century, Gary is stepping down from hosting Match of The Day at the end of this season.

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A BBC spokesperson said: "The BBC and Gary Lineker have agreed in principle a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup.

"Gary will lead the coverage of the tournament, as England once again try to land a first major trophy since 1966, the other Home Nations look to qualify and Lionel Messi aims to retain the trophy he won with Argentina.

"Gary will also host BBC Sport’s coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025/26 season, 35 years on from lifting the trophy as a player.

"After a quarter of a century, Gary is stepping down from hosting Match of The Day at the end of this season.

READ MORE: Alex Scott 'ticks two boxes for the BBC' as Gary Lineker prepares to leave Match of the Day

"He will continue with the MOTD Top Ten podcast and the BBC will also host the hugely popular The Rest is Football podcast on BBC Sounds."

Reports previously suggested that Lineker had a strained relationship with BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.

Kay-Jelski is said to be keen for Match of the Day to embark on a new era with a younger, fresher host at the helm.

But the BBC chief has made it clear he's a huge fan of Lineker, saying: “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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Meanwhile, Danny Murphy has lavished praise on Lineker as he prepares to leave the BBC.

The Match of the Day pundit, who has often appeared on the show as a guest over the years, said on talkSPORT: "I've got, you know, Gary's a friend of mine and he's been phenomenal to me since the day I walked in the building.

“And a warm, charismatic, intelligent man who knows his football and has become part of everybody's furniture, if you like, on a Saturday evening.

"I'll just tell you quickly, I mean, from my first… I'd done a few shows and he was always great.”

He continued: “And I'll never forget how he treated me and how welcome he made me, how good he made me feel.

"And just a very intelligent football man, loves his football. You know, him and his sons, they all love the football as well. And he's doing so many good things.

"He's getting on a bit, just because he looks good for his age doesn't mean he isn't old. He's getting tired in his old age, probably wants to just cook his Sunday roast."