The BBC has confirmed its Match of the Day pundit line-up for the 2026/27 Premier League season, with four new faces joining the show – but six familiar pundits were not included in the BBC pundit team
Match of the Day will feature four fresh new faces next season – with six stars set to play lesser roles on the iconic BBC show.
Ahead of the 2026/27 season the BBC has unveilied its list of pundits for the new campaign with Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Ellen White, Steph Houghton, Danny Murphy and Ashley Williams all coming back for the upcoming season.
The fresh quartet joining the ranks are Ashley Young, Robbie Keane, Toby Alderweireld and Thomas Frank, who will all now feature in the rotating cast of contributors. However, there was no room for Martin Keown, Dion Dublin, Shay Given, Stephen Warnock, Nedum Onuoha and Theo Walcott.
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According to The Mirror, the excluded names will continue to have roles in the BBC’s football programming. This revelation follows The Sun’s claims that several MOTD analysts were mulling over departures to join Gary Lineker’s upcoming Netflix programme, The Rest Is Football.
BBC stalwarts Richards and Shearer frequently appeared on Lineker’s show throughout the World Cup, splitting their commitments between both platforms. The report also suggests there were disputes between unnamed MOTD pundits and BBC head of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.
However, the broadcaster dismissed these claims in an official statement, saying: “We have repeatedly told The Sun these anonymous claims are untrue and we look forward to bringing audiences the return of Match of the Day this weekend with its established line-up of presenters and pundits – alongside a host of new guest voices bringing fresh insight from inside the game.”
Alongside these fresh developments, the BBC will unveil a new supporter-focused programme which will feature every Premier League club. The broadcaster explains that this supporter collective will “put supporters at the heart of the football conversation.”
Kay-Jelski has remarked on their coverage, explaining that fans will be positioned “at the heart” of their programming. He said: “Football means something different to every fan, and this season BBC Sport is putting those fans even more firmly at the heart of the game.
“We’re bringing together the unrivalled expertise of former players and managers with the passion, personality and perspectives of supporters themselves to create a richer football experience wherever and however audiences follow the game.
“There are new shows, new voices and new ways to get closer to the action – alongside the trusted coverage millions of fans already turn to, from Match of the Day to BBC Radio 5 Live. Whether you want the big debate, the inside story, the fan perspective or simply every goal, BBC Sport will be there all season.”