The BBC faces a major presenting decision following Gary Lineker's sudden departure from the corporation.
Announced on Monday, Lineker will leave after his final Match of the Day appearance this Sunday, creating a significant vacancy for the broadcaster's 2026 World Cup coverage.
The former striker had been set to front live football coverage through to the tournament, but will now exit completely, leaving several potential candidates to fill his role.
Lineker's exit follows controversy over a social media post. He apologised last week for inadvertently sharing pro-Palestine content featuring a rat image, historically used as an anti-Semitic insult.
Gary Lineker, who has been the BBC's highest-paid on-air talent for seven consecutive years, will leave the broadcaster this week
PA
In a statement, Lineker said: "I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic it goes against everything I stand for.
"However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action."
With Lineker's departure, Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates were announced as his joint successors to the Match of the Day hot seat.
They will be responsible for fronting the coverage of BBC's Match of the Day, Match of the Day 2 and Champions League highlights.
Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan were announced as Gary Lineker's successors
PA
Therefore, the trio have emerged as strong contenders to lead the World Cup coverage that Lineker has vacated.
A BBC insider said to the Daily Mail: "The BBC are very excited about the new presenting team going into next season so it's unlikely they'll change up for somebody else to host the World Cup.
"Between Chapman, Logan and Cates they can easily cover all the matches which are likely to be shared out evenly, with them each getting high-profile games."
Logan, 52, has significant major tournament experience, having been the face of the BBC's coverage during the Lionesses' triumphant Women's Euros in 2023, as well as covering Olympic Games, World Cups and Commonwealth Games for the broadcaster.
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The former gymnast has also demonstrated her capability by stepping in for Lineker during his past absences from Match of the Day.
"There's an enormous responsibility to make sure we continue to evolve while at the same time respecting the traditions of Match of the Day", Logan said on the decision.
"People want to see the goals, they want to see the incidents, they want to see the moments everyone's talking about, so while we can tinker at the edges, the core is the football."
Cates, 49, has existing commitments that could complicate matters, fronting Sky Sports' Premier League coverage since 2016.
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Kelly Cates currently fronts Sky Sports' Premier League coverage
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She does have World Cup experience, having covered the 2010 tournament for ITV, and currently presents BBC Radio 5 Live's Tuesday night sports programming.
When the decision was announced, she said: 'Once I sit in that chair and the theme music starts, I just know that's going to be a really incredible moment.
"I've worked with a lot of the pundits before and they're all fantastic, so I'm just looking forward to getting started."
Chapman, 51, currently presents Match Of The Day 2 for the BBC, along with several sports programmes on BBC Radio 5 Live.
'Chappers' also has experience with Sky Sports, currently fronting their coverage of the Carabao Cup. He, like Logan, stepped in for Lineker on many occasions to present Match of the Day in his absence.
On the decision to split his position between the trio, Lineker said to FourFourTwo: "That's probably down to the fact it's a massive commitment.
"Those three have all got families, and if you're saying someone is going to do it for the next 10 or 20 years, then your weekends are gone
"That might be it, I don't know. I didn't get involved in any of that. I take it as a compliment that they've named three, but I suspect it's not due to that.
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"I haven't seen them yet to speak to them, but I will do - they'll be fine and they'll do a great job. I've known them all for years, they're top presenters."
Other candidates for the role could potentially include Alex Scott, who has presented Football Focus on the BBC as well as various FA Cup highlights.
However, it seems all but certain that the trio named as his successors to the Match of the Day throne will also assume World Cup responsibilities.
