Overview
- The former Match of the Day host briefly gatecrashed BBC Sport's reaction show following England's 2-1 win over Norway, interrupting Micah Richards to declare 'Definitely a penalty' before leaving.
- Studio figures responded with light‑hearted remarks, including Wayne Rooney's quip about Lineker's tight shirt, and the clip was carried by BBC coverage that had been reviewing the overturned penalty decision.
- Lineker remains based in New York producing The Rest Is Football with his Goalhanger company for Netflix and has made earlier one‑off guest slots on ITV during the tournament rather than rejoining the BBC full time.
- The cameo came after Lineker left the BBC in 2025 following backlash over political social posts; his World Cup appearances have been informal guest spots rather than a formal reinstatement.
- Lineker has used his platform at the tournament to criticise VAR's inconsistency and call for an appeal system, a stance that links his on‑air interventions to wider debate about how key decisions are reviewed in football.