The star-studded line-up that is set to join Gary Lineker and the rest of The Rest Is Football gang during World Cup 2026 has been confirmed.
The hit podcast arrives on Netflix as a daily TV show on Wednesday 10 June, the day before the tournament kicks off in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards will reprise their roles on The Rest Is Football and will be joined by a host of eye-catching guests to reflect on all the big moments from the World Cup.
England centre-back Harry Maguire, whose controversial omission from Thomas Tuchel’s squad has been a key talking point, tops a roster that also includes Three Lions alumni Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Millie Bright, as well as former Arsenal and France midfielder Patrick Vieira, comedian Romesh Ranganathan and singer Niall Horan.
The show, which will drop on the streamer at 6am UK every day throughout the tournament, will feature match analysis, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content from World Cup 2026.
“The World Cup is as big as it gets, and bringing The Rest Is Football to Netflix during the tournament is a brilliant opportunity to get stuck into the football properly,” Shearer said. “There’ll be huge performances, big decisions, pressure moments and plenty for supporters to debate – exactly what we love talking about.”
Richards added: “I’m absolutely buzzing for this. World Cup, Netflix, New York and The Rest Is Football on a massive stage – what more could you want? It’s going to have everything people love about the show: proper analysis, big opinions, dressing-room stories and, knowing us, plenty of laughs as well.”
Lineker was originally due to front the BBC’s coverage of this summer’s World Cup but following his controversial early exit from the broadcaster, will now cover it on Netflix instead.
Want to see this content?
This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose ‘Accept and continue’ to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.
Speaking exclusively to Radio Times ahead of the tournament, he reflected on his departure and life beyond the BBC.
He said: “I think I’d had my time. It was like a wonderful marriage that kind of petered out a bit at the end. I love the BBC, I always will.
“I have a huge amount of respect for it. It turns out some incredible television and I think we did in sport. But I’m enjoying life without having to tread on eggshells and everything’s going really well. So no, I don’t miss it at all.”
The Rest Is Football is available daily from Wednesday 10 June on Netflix. World Cup 2026 kicks off on Thursday 11 June, with Mexico v South Africa on ITV1.
Try the Radio Times football predictor and put your knowledge to the test this summer.
Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
