He will also front the ‘s coverage of the FA Cup 2025/2026.
“The and Gary Lineker have agreed in principle a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup,” the said, while confirming his Match of the Day tenure was ending.
Lineker said: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”
He will continue with the MOTD Top Ten podcast and the will also host the popular The Rest is Football podcast on Sounds.
The presenter, whose contract was coming to an end, entered negotiations with the ‘s new head of sport in October.
News understands that Lineker was open to staying on at Match of the Day, but the did not offer him a new contract for the show.
“With 33 million viewers last season across the Premier League and FA Cup, Match of the Day remains part of the staple diet of football fans who still get a huge buzz from hearing that iconic theme tune on a Saturday night,” the said.
“The show continually evolves for changing viewing habits bringing its unique and unmatched analysis and commentary across all platforms. Future plans for Match of the Day will be announced in due course.”
Alex Kay-Jelski, director of Sport described Lineker as a world-class presenter.
“We’re delighted that he’ll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup,” he said.
“After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week.
“He’ll be hugely missed on the show but we’re so happy he is staying with the to present live football.”
Former director general Greg Dyke told Radio 4’s Today programme that Lineker was “the outstanding sports presenter of his time”, but added: “Life moves on, presenters don’t stay forever.”
The 63-year-old has hosted Match of the Day since 1999. He will have held the post for 26 years when he leaves at the end of the Premier League season in May 2025.
Dyke, who was director general when Lineker first began hosting the football show in 1999, did not speculate on whether Lineker had been “offered a new contract or not”.
He also said he did not know whether the recent controversy over the presenter’s social media use was connected with his departure.
“Whether this is anything to do with that I don’t know. It’s one of the few times I’ve disagreed with the since I left,” he said.
“I thought that he was a sports presenter, and therefore what he was saying about politics was irrelevant to his performance as as a presenter.
“But it’s there in the background. So it must have been a thought in the mind of of whoever took the decision.”
Dyke said losing the presenter was “a big loss”, but “in the end people watch Match of the Day for the football”.
