Gary Lineker 'quits BBC' as decision made on Match of the Day farewell and World Cup gig

will announce on Monday following his latest social media scandal, according to reports. The veteran presenter is set to call it quits after 26 years in the wake of sharing a controversial post on Instagram, which saw him accused of antisemitism amid the conflict in Gaza.

According to , Lineker will reveal the news on Monday and, as a result of his exit, will no longer head the BBC's coverage at the 2026 World Cup. He was scheduled for the leading role at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, having signed a one-year contract extension beyond the current football season. However, the former England striker has dropped his commitments after his final Match of the Day on Sunday.

A source has described the manner of his exit as "heartbreaking" but confirmed that he was still expected to host MOTD on the final day of the Premier League season.

They told The Sun: "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 report claims Lineker realised it was best to part ways after a meeting with BBC bosses in the past week.

He will also drop out of the Beeb's FA Cup coverage next season, making Sunday's Match of the Day his definitive farewell.

Lineker, the broadcaster's highest-paid presenter on £1.35million a year, has faced intense backlash across the past five days for his actions on social media.

The 64-year-old shared a pro-Palestine video on his Instagram story, criticising Zionism and including a picture of a rat - animals used to represent Jews in antisemitic propaganda.

Lineker will reportedly turn his full focus towards his Goalhanger Podcasts business, which he is heavily involved with.

The ex-Leicester City, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur forward has his own show with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, 'The Rest is Football'.

And it's claimed that Lineker hopes his BBC exit will release him from his shackles so he can speak freely about world issues.

"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," the source added to The Sun.