Football fans across the globe are in for a treat as the much-loved podcast The Rest Is Football is set to make its leap to television screens, courtesy of Netflix, for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Announced on December 3, 2025, this bold move will see hosts Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards deliver daily episodes from a New York studio, bringing their signature blend of sharp analysis, insider knowledge, and infectious banter to a truly international audience.
The anticipation is palpable. With the 2026 World Cup, the world’s most-watched sporting event, heading to North America—co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026—Netflix is positioning itself at the heart of the action. While the streaming giant doesn’t hold rights to broadcast live matches or highlights (those belong to Fox in the U.S. and the BBC/ITV in the UK), it’s banking on the power of conversation, insight, and personality to capture the World Cup’s electric atmosphere.
Gary Lineker, a household name in football broadcasting and a former England striker, will anchor the show alongside fellow legends Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. The trio, each representing a different era of English football, have already built a massive following with their podcast, which boasts over 7 million monthly streams and recorded a staggering 19.6 million downloads and YouTube views during Euro 2024. The move to Netflix marks a significant expansion, with daily episodes set to air throughout the tournament, promising fans a front-row seat to all the drama, excitement, and unpredictability the World Cup delivers.
“We can’t wait to bring The Rest Is Football to Netflix for the 2026 World Cup,” Lineker shared in a statement. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for the three of us to do what we love — talk football every day — but on a truly global stage. Expect all the usual analysis, honesty and plenty of laughs… just with a few more cameras pointed at us, all from the Big Apple.”
The show will be filmed in a custom-built studio in New York, with reporters checking in from England’s camp and various fan zones across the three host nations. Special guests, including former and current football stars, coaches, and journalists, are expected to drop by, adding further depth and excitement to the daily broadcasts. The team’s promise? To deliver the same level of candid discussion, in-depth analysis, and humor that has made their podcast a staple for football fans worldwide.
Alan Shearer, reflecting on the journey, remarked, “We must be doing something right!” while Micah Richards couldn’t hide his excitement, joking, “About damn time! We deserve it, we’ve been grafting now for how many years? And finally! We’ve been waiting for you, Netflix!”
The Rest Is Football is produced by Goalhanger, the UK’s largest independent podcast company, co-founded by Lineker, Tony Pastor, and Jack Davenport. The podcast is part of a broader suite of successful shows under the Goalhanger banner, including The Rest Is History, The Rest Is Politics, and The Rest Is Entertainment. The company’s growing influence in the podcasting world was instrumental in brokering the Netflix deal, with WME representing Goalhanger in negotiations.
This isn’t just a win for football fans—it’s a strategic move for Netflix, which has been ramping up its investment in sports content. In recent years, the streamer has dipped its toes into live sports with events like The Netflix Cup golf tournament in 2023, the headline-grabbing Jake Paul-Mike Tyson boxing match in 2024, weekly WWE Raw shows starting in January 2025, and the NFL Christmas Games, which became the most-streamed NFL games in U.S. history. Netflix’s acquisition of exclusive TV rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada and the U.S. for 2027 and 2031 further signals its intent to become a major player in global sports streaming.
The Rest Is Football’s new television incarnation will not feature live match footage or highlights due to rights restrictions, but that’s hardly a drawback for its devoted fanbase. Instead, viewers can expect top-tier analysis, behind-the-scenes stories, interviews with key figures, and plenty of the “honesty and plenty of laughs” that Lineker, Shearer, and Richards are known for. The show will also maintain its presence on audio platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts, ensuring fans can tune in wherever they are.
The journey to Netflix comes after a turbulent year for Lineker. In May 2025, he left the BBC after 30 years, following controversy over a social media post related to the Israel-Gaza war. Lineker, who was the BBC’s highest-paid presenter and the face of Match of the Day for 26 years, issued an apology for the post, stating, “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.” Despite the departure, Lineker’s star has continued to rise, winning the best TV presenter prize at the National Television Awards in September 2025 and preparing to host a new ITV game show, The Box, set to air in 2026.
The 2026 World Cup itself is shaping up to be historic, with the tournament expanding from 32 to 48 teams and matches played across 16 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The final will take place at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, promising a grand spectacle for football fans everywhere. With The Rest Is Football providing daily coverage, fans will have a new way to experience the highs and lows of the tournament, whether they’re in the stadium, a fan zone, or watching from home.
As the countdown to kick-off begins, one thing’s clear: The Rest Is Football’s move to Netflix is set to redefine how fans engage with the World Cup. With Lineker, Shearer, and Richards at the helm, viewers can expect smart analysis, unfiltered opinions, and plenty of laughs—every single day from the heart of New York. The world will be watching, and so will they.
With the announcement made and preparations underway, excitement is building for what promises to be a landmark moment in both sports broadcasting and streaming. The Rest Is Football on Netflix looks set to become essential viewing for anyone who loves the beautiful game.
