Gary Lineker QUITS BBC and will not front its 2026 World Cup coverage after explosive anti-Semitism row

GARY Lineker will today announce he is leaving the BBC and will not front the 2026 World Cup following an antisemitism row.

The former Leicester City and England striker is bowing out by mutual agreement after 26 years with his final Match of the Day this Sunday.

A source told The Sun: “It is a heartbreaking end to an extraordinary broadcasting career.”

Gary agreed to leave the BBC for good after meeting bosses last week — with a source saying he realised his position was untenable.

The Match of the Day host’s early departure comes five days after he apologised for sharing a controversial post which saw him accused of antisemitism.

Ex-England striker Gary, 64, faced a huge backlash after he reposted a video which criticised Zionism and included an illustration of a rat.

He had been due to host the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup but will instead bow out this Sunday.

The source said: “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 ex-Tottenham, Everton and Leicester City striker steps back after 26 years with the broadcaster, where he was its highest-paid ­presenter on £1.35million a year.

His final years as MOTD host have been marred by his outspoken views and fallouts with bosses.

He is now likely to focus on his successful Goalhanger Podcasts business.

And those close to the star said his exit means he will be able to speak more freely.

They added: “Gary remains passionate about speaking out over perceived injustices in the world, and will continue to call out things that he believes to be wrong.

“He will be able to speak without the shackles of the non-partisan BBC, and has already had a lot of TV offers to mull over.

“And, of course, he will be cheering on England like any other fan this summer.”

Last Tuesday Gary deleted an Instagram story post from the group Palestine Lobby after he had shared it with his 1.2million followers.

The re-post led to widespread calls for the BBC to drop Gary and the charity Campaign Against Antisemitism said it was submitting a complaint to the corporation.

HATE ROW APOLOGY

In a statement that day Gary’s agent said: “Whilst viewing and reposting a video, Gary did not notice a rodent emoticon added by the author of the post.

“Although if he had, he would not have made any connection. The repost has been removed.”

On Wednesday Gary apologised and said: “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.

“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.”

BBC Director General Tim Davie addressed the backlash the same day, saying: “The BBC’s ­reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.

“And I think we absolutely need people to be the exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that.”

Last October The Sun revealed that Gary would quit Match of the Day at the end of this season — but anchor the BBC’s 2025/26 FA Cup coverage and the World Cup.

He previously clashed with bosses for pushing the BBC’s impartiality rules but has staunchly defended using social media to speak out.

The BBC’s ­reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.

BBC boss Tim Davie

Last month he was asked by the BBC’s Amol Rajan whether it was within his remit to give a view on Middle East politics.

Gary said: “I’m sorry. It’s more important than the BBC. What’s going on there (Gaza) is the mass murder of thousands of children — probably something that we should have a little opinion on.”

In 2023 he was temporarily removed from MOTD after likening the then-Tory government’s asylum policy to rhetoric of Nazi Germany.

His co-presenters Alan Shearer and Ian Wright then boycotted the show and it went ahead without post-match analysis.

Gary said of his colleagues’ support: “I had a tear in my eye. It just moved me, it was beautiful. It’s one thing saying that in a moment, but then actually to carry that through, they didn’t need to do that.”

Six months later the BBC published rules for its presenters which said they would be “allowed to express views on issues and policies but stop short of political campaigning”.

Gary responded by saying the rules were “all very sensible.”

He has previously said he believes the BBC wanted him to leave MOTD when he was negotiating a new contract last year.

Gary said then: “I think it was their preference that I didn’t do it for one more year, so they could bring in new people.”

Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan take over next season.

Gary’s replacement as World Cup host is expected to be announced shortly.