Gary Lineker, Micah Richards and Alan Shearer are set to team up on The Rest is Football ahead of this summer’s North American World Cup, but recent BBC revelations could complicate matters
Micah Richards, Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker present ‘The Rest Is Football’ ahead of the World Cup (Image: The Rest Is Football / YouTube)
The BBC will not use the license fee to support the production of The Rest Is Football, starring Micah Richards and Alan Shearer alongside Gary Lineker, during this summer’s World Cup. The main presentation of the event by the BBC will be broadcast from its studios in Salford due to financial constraints and environmental considerations.
And while Richards will take on a leading role following Lineker’s departure from the BBC last year, it could be a blow given that former Match of the Day colleague Lineker and Shearer’s work on the Goal Hunger podcast will be delivered from New York.
For Euro 2024, the then-BBC trio recorded an episode of TRIF in Berlin, but the company’s decision to remain at home for the World Cup and Lineker’s departure have raised questions about how they will film together at this summer’s tournament.
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The BBC has told experts it is free to work on other media projects in the run-up to the World Cup but will not subsidize their costs. As a result, Mr Richards and Mr Shearer may have to meet Goalhanger or Netflix, who last month agreed a £14m deal to broadcast the podcast on their platforms, to meet travel costs and arrangements.
Given that Shearer is based in North America on co-commentary duties for the BBC and is likely to meet Lineker in person on The Rest Is Football during the tournament, Richards may need to use the recordings in other ways.
But that shouldn’t ultimately be a problem for the former Manchester City star, given that some of the podcast episodes aren’t recorded in a studio, with Lineker, Shearer and Richards contributing together over video calls.
Current Match of the Day trio Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan are expected to be based in Salford and take on hosting duties for the BBC at the World Cup, but could head to North America to host from home in the final stages of the tournament.
BBC will not use license fees to fund pundits covering the World Cup on rival podcasts (Image: PA)
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Mr Lineker was originally due to step down as Match of the Day presenter at the end of 2024/25 and take up hosting duties for the FA Cup and 2026 World Cup on the BBC, but plans were changed in May following a row over the 65-year-old’s online activities.
Lineker found himself under fire online after sharing a social media post about Zionism that included an illustration of a rat, which has historically been used as an anti-Semitic insult.
Mr Lineker explained that he had not found the photo and would not have shared the post if he had, but admitted he should have been more cautious before reposting it on social media.
He added: “However, I recognize the mistake and upset I have caused and reiterate how sorry I am. I feel it is the responsible thing to do now to withdraw.”
As a result, Lineker not only resigned from his role as Match of the Day host, but also completely severed his relationship with the BBC and lost the opportunity to work as a BBC broadcaster for the 2026 World Cup.
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