Gary Lineker Joins ITV as Guest Pundit for World Cup Match

Gary Lineker will make a notable return to football broadcasting as a guest pundit for ITV’s coverage of the Ivory Coast versus Germany match in Group E this Sunday. This appearance comes 13 months after the former England striker stepped away from his role as the face of BBC's Match of the Day, where he had long been a familiar presence.

During this time, Lineker has been in New York, where he has been busy recording episodes for his podcast, The Rest is Football. His involvement with ITV may provide a timely lift for the network, which has recently surpassed the BBC in TV ratings since the World Cup commenced last Thursday. Reports from The Guardian indicate that ITV has achieved four of the five highest viewing figures for matches during the tournament's opening week.

Lineker’s departure from the BBC in 2024 followed controversy over a social media post that included pro-Palestine content with an illustration deemed to have antisemitic undertones. He admitted to not having recognized the problematic nature of the graphic and expressed regret for sharing it. Tim Davie, the BBC's former Director General, acknowledged Lineker's significant contributions to sports journalism, stating, “Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades.”

This upcoming match at BMO Field in Toronto is set to kick off at 21:00 (BST), with Julian Nagelsmann’s German team aiming to secure their second victory in the group stage, which would enhance their chances of advancing to the knockout rounds of the World Cup.

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