Gary Lineker voices concerns over Trump and World Cup as he reflects on life after BBC

Gary Lineker voices concerns over Trump and World Cup as he reflects on life after BBC The star claimed he is "allowed an opinion on things" now that he has left the BBC View 2 Images Gary Linekar has opened up about life after the BBC (Image: Getty Images) Former BBC television presenter Gary Lineker has said he is "not treading on so many eggshells these days" since leaving the broadcaster. The 65-year-old stepped down from presenting Match of the Day after 26 years in May last year, following criticism of his political opinions on social media. ‌ His exit follows controversy surrounding an Instagram post about Zionism that included an image of a rat, a symbol that has historically been used as an antisemitic insult. ‌ Lineker will bring The Rest Is Football podcast, produced by his company Goalhanger Podcasts, to Netflix for the 2026 World Cup. The daily programme will feature fellow former footballers Micah Richards and Alan Shearer and will cover the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. ‌ Reflecting on life after the BBC, Lineker told the Press Association: "I've got a bit more time, I'm not treading on quite so many eggshells these days, I'm allowed an opinion on things. View 2 Images The presenter said he isn't "walking on egg shells" anymore since leaving the BBC (Image: PA) 'But no, I had a wonderful period at the Beeb, and I've covered so many major tournaments with, and obviously I was going to do this (the 2026 World Cup) originally, but now I'm doing something different, which is really exciting. ‌ "I'm a bit surprised the Beeb are not going until possibly the very latter stages of the competition, so I won't miss being in the green box itself, but I miss some of the company." Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the World Cup He continued: "But the fact we've got our own show now with loads of guests and stuff, that's been replaced completely. ‌ "We're not in competition with the BBC in this, because obviously they're focused on live football, we haven't got the rights, but we've got a show that people can watch alongside. I think the BBC and ITV both, obviously, cover football brilliantly." Lineker also reflected on the challenges surrounding the US co-hosting the World Cup, with his concerns linked to the actions of US President Donald Trump, including the conflict involving Iran, one of the nations taking part in the tournament. The former England forward noted that every World Cup he has worked on has been accompanied by controversy or wider political concerns, pointing to debates over LGBTQ+ rights ahead of the 2022 tournament in Qatar and criticism of Russia hosting the 2018 competition, four years after invading Crimea. Article continues below He said: 'This time we've got a first, probably I think, we've got the host nation at war with one of the competing countries, you've got an unpredictable leader. 'But from my experience, which is a lot, once we get there, once it starts, it's always alright, it's always great, the football takes over, and I'm very much hoping that that's the case, that we don't have to cover the negatives and what's gone on, and hopefully nothing goes wrong. 'But I am a little bit more nervous about this one, I think, than others, for obvious reasons.'