ITV have decided against bringing in Gary Lineker to front their 2026 World Cup coverage despite the 64-year-old signing on to the broadcaster to host a new game show.
In a move that is thought to have infuriated his old bosses at the BBC, Lineker will host a new gameshow called The Box on the rival broadcaster after he left the BBC earlier this year.
The new gig comes just three months after the star left the BBC following a 26-year stint in the Match of the Day hot seat.
**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**
His new show, The Box, will see 12 celebs put in boxes and given daring challenges that will air at prime-time on Saturday evening.
Gary Lineker will not front ITV's coverage of the 2026 World Cup
|PA
Despite this, it is said that ITV’s plans for the upcoming tournament are already well advanced - with Lineker not involved.
Bringing the star into their plans late is thought to have a heavy expense and potentially frustrate presenters who have already agreed to host the coverage.
The former Match of the Day presenter had been due to front the BBC’s coverage of the World Cup, hosted in the US, Canada and Mexico next year, but he left his role prematurely after a series of rows due to his online social media activity.
JUST IN: Darwin Nunez set for Al Hilal medical as Liverpool turn attention back to Alexander Isak
The 64-year-old was due to host the BBC's coverage of the upcoming World Cup
|PA
Lineker was forced to step back from his role at the helm of Match of the Day in May after sharing a video on Instagram which sparked accusations of antisemitism.
The former England striker shared a pro-Palestinian video on his Instagram account depicting a rat emoji - a commonly used antisemitic trope.
The 64-year-old then deleted the post and issued an apology, but decided to leave his £1.35million-a-year role after he said he was told by BBC executives that it was a "quit or be quitted" scenario.
READ MORE: Thomas Partey completes move as new Villarreal player despite sexual offences charges
Lineker is said to have walked away without a pay-off from his mammoth salary.
While his career on TV has wound down somewhat after a string of controversies, his podcast empire has enjoyed a meteoric rise.
During the Club World Cup, his podcast The Rest Is Football, in which Lineker is joined by friends and fellow former pros Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, signed a deal with broadcaster DAZN to show highlights from the tournament.
Gary Lineker's podcast with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer has proved remarkably succesful
|YouTube
The podcast has now secured a similar deal with La Liga, with a new show due to be commissioned named The Rest Is Football: LALIGA.
Lineker, who spent three seasons at Barcelona, said: “I’ve made no secret of my love for Spanish football over the years. Ever since I played there in the late ’80s, I’ve followed the story of LALIGA closely.
“Now, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marcus Rashford joining Jude Bellingham and Conor Gallagher in Spain, all eyes will be on LALIGA’s biggest games each week.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
“The Rest Is Football: LALIGA will be the perfect way to catch all the goals and key action. I can’t wait.”
Some have speculated that Lineker’s involvement in next year’s World Cup could come through his prestigious podcasting network, with a similar deal possible.