Gary Lineker won’t be at the World Cup with the BBC but the former England star has signed an eye-watering deal with Netflix that will see The Rest Is Football provide analysis for the tournament
Gary Lineker is relishing the ‘fantastic opportunity’ to team up with Netflix at the 2026 World Cup. The former England striker has signed a lucrative deal with the streaming service that will see his show The Rest Is Football take to screens from the tournament.
The show – produced by Lineker’s Goalhanger production company – is set to be filmed daily throughout the tournament and shared on Netflix. It will be filmed in a New York studio, with analysis of matches, special guests and interviews.
Speaking of the announcement, The Rest Is Football co-host Gary Lineker said: “We can’t wait to bring The Rest Is Football to Netflix for the 2026 World Cup. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the three of us to do what we love — talk football every day — but on a truly global stage. Expect all the usual analysis, honesty and plenty of laughs… just with a few more cameras pointed at us, all from the Big Apple.”
Fellow hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards are both set to feature. The Rest Is Football previously featured on the BBC but their deal was terminated in May, leaving the door open to Netflix.
READ MORE: When is the 2026 World Cup draw and how does it work?READ MORE: BBC pundits to ‘work from home’ for first 96 matches of 2026 World Cup
The show has been a constant on YouTube, having amassed more than eight million views on the platform. Their new deal with Netflix is reportedly worth millions.
Lineker, 65, left the BBC at the end of last season after a post on social media about zionism, which included a rat emoji – historically used as an antisemitic insult. The former forward apologised for the post and claimed he had not seen the emoji.
Meanwhile, the BBC have confirmed their plans for the upcoming tournament. As ever, they will have TV and radio reporters present at the World Cup, with a shared rights package alongside ITV.
Who will win the World Cup? Share your predictions in the comments below
The 2026 World Cup gets underway on June 11 and is set to run until July 19. The Rest Is Football co-host Alan Shearer has already underlined England’s standing as one of the favourites for glory.
Speaking to Betfair, he said: “I think the strategy of squad selection, including management of Bellingham, has worked really well for Thomas Tuchel. The results that he’s had, when leaving players out and bringing players back in, has really worked for him.
“I think Tuchel is in a really healthy position in terms of who he’s got and what he’s got available, and he’s in a strong position because the decisions that he’s made have all worked up to now. Obviously, that has to keep going, and England have to win the World Cup.
“I think Tuchel will want to do exactly the same as his side have been doing. He’ll want them to show great energy, he’ll want them to have a purpose, and he’ll want them to win games and score goals. I think it’s very much a continuation of what he’s seen from previous games, that’s what he’ll want.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
