Gary Lineker is expected to announce today that he has quit the BBC and will not be there to host the World Cup, leaving earlier than planned after quitting from Match of the Day

Gary Lineker will now not host the BBC’s World Cup coverage(Image: PA)

Gary Lineker could have ended his own BBC career after a comment about his boss. The sports presenter had announced he was quitting Match of the Day but it has now been reported that he will leave the BBC earlier.

During a recent interview after he confirmed his Match of the Day exit, Gary had said Alex Kay-Jelski had “no television experience” and suggested any plans to revamp the show without him would fail.

“I think he wants more journalists – he has come from that background. He has got no television experience.”

Gary Lineker is expected to announce he is leaving the BBC today

Now BBC sources have claimed that Gary’s comments about Alex could have been the “final straw” for the BBC who had “indulged” Gary by “bending its rules to breaking point”.

Gary’s final Match of the Day episode will air on Sunday and now he is expected to announce his exit, and will no longer lead the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup as was originally planned.

A source told The Sun of Gary’s decision to step down: “Gary acknowledged his position at the BBC, anchoring the most prestigious tournament in world football, was untenable, and he will not be hosting the World Cup.

“He offered to step down at the end of the season, and did not want the BBC — an organisation he still holds in the highest of esteem — dragged into any further controversy. He remains absolutely devastated by the recent turn of events and is deeply regretful about how his post was interpreted. His last Match of the Day will air on Sunday now and he won’t be back.”

The footballer and TV presenter came under fire after sharing a pro-Palestine video on his Instagram account earlier this week which featured an ‘anti-Semitic’ rat emoji from the campaign group, Palestine Lobby. Gary later issued an apology after quickly deleting the video from his Instagram story, with his decision to leave expected to be announced today.

“On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references. I very much regret these references. I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in,” he said in a statement.

“The post was removed as soon as I became aware of the issue. Whilst I strongly believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, I also know that how we do so matters. I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views. It was an error on my part for which I apologise unreservedly.”