Gary Lineker reveals conversation with White House over World Cup visa amid ban fears

Gary Lineker has revealed that he has been contacted by the White House amid concerns he could be banned from the World Cup.

Lineker raised his worries about being denied entry to the USA while discussing potential controversy around the tournament.

Getty

The United States and Israel’s strikes on Iran have led to some ongoing conflict, with US President Donald Trump issuing travel bans.

Iran is one of the nations banned, and they are also now ‘unlikely’ to play at the World Cup this summer despite qualifying.

On top of that, there have been reports that journalists’ social media activity is being monitored ahead of the tournament.

And Lineker, who has always been outspoken on issues around the world, is making sure he doesn’t get himself denied entry.

The England legend and broadcasting icon has signed a multi-million-pound deal with Netflix to host his podcast ‘The Rest Is Football’ from New York throughout the World Cup.

“We live in crazy times,” Lineker said during a chat with LBC. “The whole world order is shifting quickly and obviously, we don’t know what will happen with the World Cup.

“But I’ve got to be slightly careful because I want them to let me in!

“But no, we’re well down the line [with a visa]. I think it’ll be fine. The White House have reached out to us.

“They’ve said how much they respect the podcast and want to play a part, which is.. Not him (Donald Trump) obviously. The guy who’s in charge of the World Cup part of the White House, I should say.

“But I think we’ll be okay. I’ve covered so many World Cups and played in a couple and it’s always the same before.

Getty

Getty

“There are always concerns, there are always worries. Some of them are bigger than others.”

Lineker then looked at some past world issues surrounding the host countries for World Cups that ended up going smoothly.

“For Russia, [they hosted it] not long after they’d invaded the Crimea,” he added. “Four years ago, there were all these things and people dying making the stadiums, building the stadiums.

“There is always something before a major tournament. I remember in Brazil there were massive demonstrations by all the people, saying they’d spent all this money on stadiums and it wasn’t right that they were hosting the World Cup. South Africa had its issues.

“Everywhere we’ve been has and it’ll be the same in this one and people will speak about it and talk about it and then the football starts. Then, by and large, it’s always been alright from that point.

“I mean, I have my doubts and I have my worries and I have my concerns, but I think it’ll be okay. I hope it’ll be okay, but I don’t know because the world has gone mad!”

Rest Is Football

Lineker’s World Cup deal

As mentioned, Lineker is hoping to be in the USA for the World Cup to host his podcast from New York.

News of the multi-million-dollar deal with Netflix for Lineker and co-hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards was confirmed in February.

Lineker said: “It is a fantastic opportunity for the three of us to do what we love – talk football every day – but on a truly global stage.

“Expect all the usual analysis, honesty and plenty of laughs… just with a few more cameras pointed at us, all from the Big Apple.”

The 2026 World Cup will get underway on Thursday, June 11, 2026 and run until the final on Sunday, July 19.