- Gary Lineker will go away BBC after World Cup in Canada, Mexico and United States
- The broadcaster and ITV have received rights to host 2026 and 2030 tournaments
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Gary Lineker will get a World Cup swansong after the BBC introduced they’ve agreed a take care of ITV for reside protection of the 2026 and 2030 tournaments.
Lineker, 64, will stop presenting Match of the Day on the finish of the present season after 26 years.
The previous England striker will proceed to current reside protection of the FA Cup earlier than leaving the company altogether in two years’ time after the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
The settlement will see the BBC present reside protection and highlights throughout its TV channels and iPlayer, in addition to reside audio commentary on Radio 5 Reside, 5 Sports activities Further and BBC Sounds.
ITV will ship free-to-air protection of reside fixtures throughout ITV1, ITV4 and ITVX, plus highlights and unique content material on ITV Sport social accounts.
The 2 broadcasters will present extra video games than ever earlier than after the World Cup was prolonged to 48 groups and 104 video games.
Gary Lineker will formally go away the BBC after presenting the World Cup in 2026
ITV and BBC will present extra video games than ever after the World Cup was prolonged to 48 groups and 104 video games
The BBC’s director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski mentioned: ‘The World Cup is magical, one thing the entire planet stops to expertise, and we will not wait to point out it to audiences throughout all platforms.’
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, added: ‘We’re trying ahead to bringing these two tournaments free-to-air throughout ITV and ITVX.
‘The World Cup at all times delivers among the most memorable, historic and thrilling moments within the sporting calendar and we’re happy to show the best footballing motion to the widest doable viewers.’
Mattias Grafstrom, Fifa secretary normal, mentioned: ‘The expanded Fifa World Cup is ready to be an unforgettable occasion for soccer followers in every single place in 2026 and 2030.
‘We’re delighted to have the ability to prolong our partnership with the BBC and ITV for the subsequent two editions of the match, as they may present sturdy platforms within the UK to achieve the widest viewers doable and optimise the viewing expertise.’
The settlement comes simply days after Mail Sport revealed Kelly Cates is to depart Sky Sports activities to turn into a part of a three-person crew to interchange Lineker as presenters of Match of the Day.
The highly-regarded broadcaster, daughter of Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, will head to the BBC on the finish of the season.
It’s anticipated that Cates will be a part of fellow broadcasters Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan, with presenting duties for Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2 cut up between the three of trio.
The announcement comes days after Mail Sport revealed Kelly Cates is leaving Sky to hitch Match of The Day as one in every of their presenters from subsequent season
Bosses at Sky are understood to be deeply saddened on the lack of the 49-year-old.
Cates’ clean presentation of Sky’s Premier League protection and former expertise with the BBC have clearly gone in her favour.
