Gary Lineker's Podcast Expands to Netflix for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Gary Lineker's podcast, *The Rest Is Football*, is set to debut on Netflix during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The show will feature Lineker alongside co-hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, providing daily analysis and commentary on World Cup events from a studio in New York. The podcast, which has garnered 7 million monthly streams, originally launched in 2023 in partnership with the BBC but ceased streaming on BBC Sounds following Lineker's departure from the broadcaster in May 2023.

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Lineker's exit from the BBC was precipitated by controversy surrounding a social media post he made, which included a cartoon rat emoji overlaid on a video discussing the Israel-Gaza conflict. This imagery has been historically associated with antisemitism, leading to significant backlash. Although Lineker later apologized for the post, the incident marked a turning point in his career, prompting the end of his long-standing relationship with the BBC, where he had worked for 30 years.

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The Netflix version of *The Rest Is Football* will not include live game coverage or highlights, as Netflix does not hold broadcasting rights for the World Cup. Instead, the show will focus on analysis and discussions surrounding the games, featuring special guests and insights from the hosts. Lineker expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, stating, “We can’t wait to bring The Rest Is Football to Netflix for the 2026 World Cup... Expect all the usual analysis, honesty and plenty of laughs.”

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The move to Netflix reflects a broader trend in sports media, where traditional broadcasting rights are increasingly being challenged by streaming platforms. Fox will broadcast the World Cup games in the United States, while the BBC and ITV will share rights in the UK. This shift may influence how audiences engage with sports content, as platforms like Netflix seek to carve out their niche in the competitive landscape of sports commentary.

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While the expansion of *The Rest Is Football* to Netflix has been met with excitement from fans of the podcast, some critics have raised concerns about the implications of Lineker's previous controversy on his credibility as a sports commentator. The use of social media by public figures in sensitive political contexts continues to be a contentious issue, prompting discussions about accountability and the responsibilities of broadcasters.

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• “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.” — Gary Lineker, Host of *The Rest Is Football*

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This expansion of *The Rest Is Football* to Netflix represents a significant development in sports media, combining Lineker's expertise with the global reach of streaming platforms, while also navigating the complexities of public perception and media responsibility.

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