Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates are competing to replace Gary Lineker as the BBC’s lead presenter at the 2026 World Cup after it was announced that the 64-year-old would be leaving the broadcaster early
Gary Lineker’s early exit from the BBC has reportedly sparked a battle over who will lead the broadcaster’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup. Lineker was set to leave his role as Match of the Day presenter at the end of this season, but would continue presenting the BBC’s coverage of next season’s FA Cup and the World Cup.
However, he will now depart earlier than planned after he shared a video on social media which was criticised as ‘anti-Semitic’, with BBC Director-General Tim Davie saying: “Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made.
“Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season. Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades.
“His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond. We want to thank him for the contribution he has made.”
Addressing his departure, Lineker said: “I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. As I’ve said, I’d never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic — it goes against everything I stand for.
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“However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”
Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates will present Match of the Day next season instead of Lineker and the Sun are reporting that the trio are now competing to be the lead presenter of the BBC’s World Cup coverage.
The report states that Chapman, Logan and Cates were set to have ‘supporting roles’ alongside Lineker at next year’s tournament, but those plans will now have to be changed. A source is quoted as saying: “Now Gary’s gone there has to be a lead anchor for the World Cup coverage.
“Mark, Gabby and Kelly can definitely share the duties between them but it will boil down to who gets the big games. For example, who will be taking the lead role on the final — which will be the game they all want to be the leading voice on.
“Mark, Gabby and Kelly are friends but they will be positioning themselves in the coming months because, naturally, it’s a competitive job and who wouldn’t want to be the frontrunner?
“It’s become an inside joke that it’ll be like something out of Game of Thrones — with all of them vying to take the lead. Mark, Gabby and Kelly are all excellent broadcasters so it’s not going to be an easy decision to make.
“They can do the MOTD job-share fine but when it comes to the prestige of holding up the coverage for those major events, it’s inevitable someone’s nose is going to be put out of joint.”
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