ITV do not intend to bring in Gary Lineker to front their World Cup coverage.
The prospect of the former Match of the Day host presenting the broadcaster’s programmes from next year’s tournament had been raised after reports claimed that he was to front an evening quiz show on ITV1.
It is understood that ITV Sport are already in the latter stages of planning for the tournament – and that Lineker is not involved.
The news would appear to end a scenario in which Lineker would be in direct opposition to the BBC, which also holds the rights to screen the World Cup in the UK.
He was due to host the competition for the BBC after retiring from Match of the Day at the end of the season.
However, controversy over a social media post he shared put an end to what was viewed as a departing victory lap for the 64-year-old. The Instagram post, about Zionism, featured an illustration of a rat.
Lineker subsequently apologised but the storm, coming after a series of controversies, saw an early end to his long-running stint with the broadcaster.
Lineker has been fronting a podcast, The Rest is Football. Earlier today Goalhanger, the company he co-founded, announced a three-year deal to screen highlights from Spain’s La Liga,
A new podcast, The Rest Is Football: LALIGA will show the footage, becoming the first show of its kind to secure a rights deal.
Lineker, who starred for 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. The Rest Is Football: LALIGA will be the perfect way to catch all the goals and key action. I can’t wait.’
