BBC presenting duties to be shared for World Cup – but who will host the final?

BBC presenting duties to be shared for World Cup – but who will host the final? Corporation says there are ‘no favourites’ among MOTD trio Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan When the BBC split the task of presenting Match of the Day between three prominent broadcasters, executives were clear – there were to be “no favourites” among the new hosts Kelly Cates, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman. That mantra is now being underlined as the corporation prepares its coverage for this summer’s World Cup . It is understood producers are ensuring that the trio have an equal number of programmes to present once the tournament kicks off in Mexico City. There is, however, one big unresolved question as the epic task of planning the coverage takes shape – no decision has yet been taken on who will host the final. Cates, Logan and Chapman took over Match of the Day presenting duties at the start of the current Premier League season, replacing Gary Lineker after his 26-year association with the programme. Lineker had initially agreed a deal to present the World Cup for the BBC, which takes place across Canada, Mexico and the US. However, he ended his BBC presenting career early last year, after he apologised for amplifying online material with antisemitic connotations. It means the three hosts will share the presenter’s chair, with producers working hard to ensure they receive a fair share of the top games. Even insiders are in the dark about who will be given the task of fronting the World Cup final coverage. The three will be part of an increasingly crowded field of World Cup content, which will include Lineker himself. His The Rest Is Football video podcast, part of the Goalhanger stable of podcasts that he co-founded, has struck a deal with Netflix to present a daily edition from New York. Chapman, Cates and Logan also have podcast commitments during the tournament, while BBC pundits Micah Richards and Alan Shearer will appear on Lineker’s podcast. The BBC has made clear it w...