What Gary Lineker has said about 2026 FIFA World Cup
3 quotes · 1 episode · Jul 12, 2026
Gary Lineker, Former England striker, broadcaster, co-founder of Goalhanger and host of The Rest Is Football, has been quoted on 2026 FIFA World Cup 3 times in 1 episode of Pod Save America, most recently on July 12, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.
In their words
Lineker says the 2026 World Cup has gone far better than he expected and has been a triumph overall.
“But I think it's been way better than I actually thought it would be”
Pod Save America: Can Soccer Save the World? (Jul 12, 2026) · Listen from 4:19
- Partly true
Lineker predicts Spain will beat Belgium comfortably in the quarterfinal.
“I can't see Belgium living with Spain. I think Spain win that relatively comfortably”
Pod Save America: Can Soccer Save the World? (Jul 12, 2026) · Listen from 38:24
- Didn’t happen
Lineker picks England as slight favourites and predicts they will win the World Cup.
“I think England have to be slight favourites. I'm going to go with England”
Pod Save America: Can Soccer Save the World? (Jul 12, 2026) · Listen from 39:03
Predictions
- Partly true
Lineker predicts Spain will beat Belgium comfortably in the quarterfinal.
“I can't see Belgium living with Spain. I think Spain win that relatively comfortably”
Pod Save America: Can Soccer Save the World? (Jul 12, 2026) · Listen from 38:24 · 2026 FIFA World Cup
Spain did beat Belgium in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal on July 10, 2026, but the 2-1 win was not comfortable. The game was 1-1 until Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute from a rebound after a goalkeeper error, and reports described Spain as having 'edged' a team that made them work hard.
Sources: Spain edge Belgium in quarter-finals (FIFA) · Spain 2-1 Belgium (Jul 10, 2026) Final Score - ESPN · Spain 2-1 Belgium: Merino the late hero again as Lammens error gifts La Roja semi-final spot · Spain v Belgium LIVE: FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final (SBS)
Checked Oct 8, 2026
- Didn’t happen
Lineker picks England as slight favourites and predicts they will win the World Cup.
“I think England have to be slight favourites. I'm going to go with England”
Pod Save America: Can Soccer Save the World? (Jul 12, 2026) · Listen from 39:03 · 2026 FIFA World Cup
England did not win the 2026 World Cup. Argentina beat them 2-1 in the semi-final on July 15, 2026, and Spain won the final on July 19, 2026, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time with a 106th-minute goal from Ferran Torres.
Sources: Spain wins 2026 FIFA World Cup with grueling 1-0 victory over Argentina - CBS News · Recap: Argentina eliminates England 2-1 to defend World Cup vs. Spain · England knocked out of World Cup as Argentina come from behind to reach final - Yahoo Sports
Checked Oct 9, 2026
Episodes
Can Soccer Save the World?Pod Save America · Jul 12, 2026 · 52 min
Tommy Vietor talks with Gary Lineker about the 2026 World Cup, FIFA's integrity, the U.S. team's prospects, gambling, racism, and Lineker's 1986 memories.
Others on 2026 FIFA World Cup
- PFT Commenter · 13 quotes
- Taylor Twellman · 5 quotes
- Dan Katz · 4 quotes
- Anthony Dabbundo · 4 quotes
- Peter Sagal · 3 quotes
- Karen Kilgariff · 2 quotes
- Tommy Vietor · 2 quotes
- Tim Ream · 2 quotes
Gary Lineker on other topics
- Argentina v England (1986 FIFA World Cup) · 2 quotes
- BBC impartiality rules · 2 quotes
- Sports betting · 2 quotes
- Youth soccer development in the United States · 2 quotes
- Folarin Balogun red card controversy · 2 quotes
- FIFA · 2 quotes
- 2026 Clacton by-election · 1 quote
- Video assistant referee · 1 quote