Gary Lineker is expected to earn millions of dollars for his podcast coverage of the 2026 World Cup next summer, following news that Netflix has secured a deal for a daily show to be hosted on the streaming platform. The Rest Is Football podcast, co-hosted by Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, has reached an agreement with the tournament, which is just a few months away.
Details of the deal have now been revealed, with The Times suggesting Goalhanger, the podcast company that produced the show, will earn £14m from the deal with Netflix. Their daily show reports that a lucrative eight-figure contract has been agreed, with a salary of more than £1.6 million a week.
The funds will cover the costs of special guests, as all shows will take place in the United States during the World Cup. This marks a bold move by the streaming giants as they compete for a slice of live soccer coverage over the next year.
The deal will exceed the £1.35 million Mr Lineker earned from hosting a dedicated football program on the BBC. The England striker-turned-presenter bid farewell to the BBC in May after presenting an episode of his final match of the day.
Lineker’s tenure at the BBC spanned nearly 30 years, but it was deemed appropriate for both parties to part ways after his social media presence came under the spotlight. “It’s been a real honor to host Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It’s been a real pleasure,” he declared in his farewell broadcast.
“Finally, I would like to thank you all (the viewers),” Lineker said to the camera. “Thank you for watching. Thank you for your love and support over the years. It was so special. And it’s a shame that your team always came in last place. It’s time to say goodbye.”
The reported deal represents a significant coup for Netflix, which has faced persistent speculation about acquiring broadcast rights to various soccer competitions, and reflects Amazon Prime Video’s strategy in broadcasting the Premier League and Champions League in recent years. Similarly, rival Paramount recently secured UK rights to the next cycle of the Champions League, ending TNT Sports’ association with the tournament.
A separate Times report suggested that Netflix could pursue the next batch of Premier League rights, particularly targeting the Christmas matches once they become available. This would see boxing spearhead Netflix’s expansion into the streaming giant’s expansion into live entertainment, especially considering the upcoming Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul bout.
Lineker, 65, has shifted his focus to podcasting and continues to run The Rest Is Football podcast with former England stars Shearer and Richards. It is unclear in what role he will cover the World Cup, but his deal with Netflix has revealed his plans for the tournament.
The World Cup could present a huge opportunity for streaming platforms, given its global appeal and strong interest during the month-long tournament. A whopping 19.4 million people in the UK watched England’s loss to France in the 2022 competition, demonstrating the tournament’s huge popularity.
Under the guidance of manager Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions qualified for the tournament with a clean sheet and will head to America in top form. The World Cup bracket has been finalized, and there is a possibility that the team’s path to the finals will be charted.
England have drawn with Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the group stages, and the expanded world tournament will see more matches played throughout the group stages and knockout rounds.
