BBC grant Gary Lineker final wish after making £1.35m decision over new Match of the Day plans

Gary Lineker has outlined how he has been granted his wish of ending his time at the BBC by presenting a major international tournament, with the presenter set to bow out after the 2026 World Cup final.

The former England striker will step down from being the anchor of Match of the Day at the end of the season after 25 years hosting the flagship programme, but will continue to present live football for another 18 months.

The 63-year-old will continue to host Match of the Day Top 10 episodes while his successful podcast, The Rest Is Football, will appear on BBC Sounds once a week. Lineker has been the face of the BBC’s football coverage for more than two decades, something he called an “amazing experience”.

The BBC is keeping tight-lipped about who the candidates are to succeed Lineker, who first started presenting the Premier League highlights show in November 1999. The ex-Leicester, Tottenham and Everton star has meanwhile also covered England as they reached the final of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.

Lineker said he had always wanted to finish his time at the BBC at a major tournament, and has got his wish. “I really wanted to finish on a major tournament and do the FA Cup as well, so you’ve not quite got rid of me just yet,” he said on his podcast on Friday.

Meanwhile, Lineker revealed that the BBC has new plans in store for Match of the Day. BBC News revealed that Lineker had wanted to stay on as host beyond this season but was not offered a contract to do so.

However, both parties are content with the final agreement in place. And Lineker himself admits it “makes sense” for him to leave next summer given the scheduled changes.

He added: “I bowed out in my football career when I felt it was the right time. I feel this is now the right time.

“I think the next contract they’re looking to do Match of the Day slightly differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.”

Lineker, who also hosts Sports Personality of the Year each December, is the BBC’s highest-paid earner with a yearly package of £1.35million. Pundit Alan Shearer earns £449,000 per annum.

The BBC has said it will announce more on its plans for Match of the Day “in due course”. The likes of Mark Chapman, Alex Scott and Kelly Cates are among bookmakers' favourites for the role of presenter.