Gary Lineker is poised to make his final appearance on on Sunday night. The former and star made his debut with the flagship back in 1999, replacing the legendary .

And while name has become almost synonymous with the Premier League highlights show, Sunday's instalment covering the final day of the 2024/25 season will be his last altogether. Lineker announced back in November that he was set to take a step back from MOTD at the end of the season.

He was due to front the Beeb's coverage next season and the 2026 World Cup come the summer. Late last year, a statement from director of BBC Sport Alex Kay-Jelski read: "Gary is a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup. After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD.

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"We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week. He’ll be hugely missed on the show but we’re so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football."

However, plans were completely uprooted on Monday when Lineker announced that he will sever ties with the BBC altogether following his online controversy. Lineker faced backlash last week for sharing a social media post on Zionism which included the illustration of a rat – something which has historically been considered as an anti-semitic insult.

As a result, Lineker announced that he will no longer work on the BBC's FA Cup or World Cup coverage, and that Sunday's show will be his farewell. As for the 2025/26 campaign, he will be replaced by the well-respected trio of , and , while the BBC's FA Cup and World Cup plans in terms of who will lead presenting them are yet to be decided.

With an undeniably emotional episode of Match of the Day lying ahead for Lineker, breaks down what time the show starts, what channel it's on, which teams will be featured, and what the pundit has said this week about his exit from the BBC...

While Match of the Day usually commands a Saturday evening slot on , this weekend's showing will take place at 10.30pm on Sunday.

This is due to every game this weekend taking place on Sunday with the 2024/25 Premier League season coming to an end. All 20 clubs in England's top flight kick off simultaneously at 4pm, as is tradition.

The show is due to conclude at 12.10am, where Lineker will say his final goodbyes to viewers. Close pals Alan Shearer and Micah Richards will be the other pundits in the studio on the night.

Every single Premier League team is in action come 4pm Sunday, so fans across the UK will be treated to a bumper highlights show. face a relegated City at the Vitality Stadium, while a mid-table face at Craven Cottage.

Meanwhile, play host to Brentford, and battle it out for a place in the , a struggling wave goodbye to a dismal season by welcoming to Old Trafford, and a rock-bottom face as their last opponents in the Premier League for at least another season.

welcome to St. James' Park, Premier League champions receive a guard of honour from at Anfield, a relegated Ipswich Town face , and 17th-place Tottenham return to home soil after their midweek final win in Bilbao to face .

The relegation places and title are both already decided, so the main focus is on the remaining spots up for grabs to qualify for the Champions League and other European places.

In a statement on Monday pertaining to his social media criticism, Lineker said: "Hi everyone, some personal news. Last week I shared a post here on that contained an emoji that has awful connotations. Unfortunately, I did not see the emoji.

"If I had, I would never, ever have shared it. The minute I was made aware, I quickly deleted the post and went on to make an apology. I would like once again to say I'm sorry unreservedly for the hurt and the upset caused. It was a genuine mistake and oversight, but I should have been more diligent. I know that.

"I've stood up for minorities and humanitarian issues, and against all forms of racism all of my life, including, of course, anti-semitism - which I absolutely abhor. There's no place for it and never should be.

"So I think it's best for all concern that I step down from BBC presenting duties altogether and not do next season's FA Cup or World Cup. The final day of the Premier League season on Sunday will be my last show.

"It's been a pleasure and a huge privilege working with the BBC for 30 years, especially hosting Match of the Day - a programme that is so close to my heart and an integral part of my life. I would like to thank all of the quite brilliant, talented and lovely people both in front and behind the camera, that I have worked alongside for three decades. You're the absolute best.

"The relationship with the BBC has been long and wonderful, but it's the right time for the organisation and myself to go our separate ways. Thank you also to all of you, for your incredible support and love over so many years, it means the to me. I'll see you all on Sunday."

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