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The Rest Is Football podcast, which has been a huge hit in the UK, is officially making its massive global debut on Netflix during the World Cup.
Running as a special fixture for the duration of the tournament, the show is a major move for Netflix into daily football coverage.
Let GOAL tell you everything you need to know to catch every single episode this summer.
What is The Rest Is Football?
The Rest Is Football kicked off in August 2023 under Gary Lineker’s own powerhouse label, Goalhanger Podcasts, which is absolutely flying at the top of the business charts right now. You used to have to find it on BBC Sounds, but the lads have broken out - now you can stream standard episodes for free on whatever platform you use.
The lineup is pure elite-tier punditry. We’re talking three former England internationals who know exactly what it’s like to wear the Three Lions: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards. For this massive Netflix/World Cup crossover, the trio are setting up camp in New York, dropping daily episodes all the way through to the World Cup Final on July 19.
Expect the usual world-class banter, unfiltered tournament chat, sharp tactical breakdowns, and some massive special guests stopping by the Big Apple studio.
Lineker and Shearer will be holding down the fort live in the New York studio. Big Meeks (Micah Richards) is mostly anchoring from his UK home studio, though word is he’ll be making a few select marquee appearances in NY!
When can I view The Rest Is Football opening episode on Netflix?
Netflix is dropping a massive 40 daily episodes in total. That means the guys are keeping you covered every single day of the tournament. No rest days, no break lulls, even on non-match days, you’ll get your daily fix of football fun and analysis.
Check out the official Netflix trailer here to see the trio packing their bags and getting ready for the big New York move.
What time will The Rest Is Football be shown during the World Cup?
No matter where you're backing your country from, Netflix has you covered. The 40 World Cup specials are dropping at the same time every single day of the tournament.
They are broadcasting to over 190 countries and territories, meaning the global football community can tune in together. Check the kickoff times below to see exactly when the daily episodes land on your feed:
Region (Time Zone) | Daily Episode Running Time |
|---|---|
Eastern USA (ET) | 1 AM |
Western USA (PT) | 10 PM (previous night) |
United Kingdom (BST) | 6 AM |
Europe (CEST) | 7 AM |
Australia (AEST) | 3 PM |
Meet The Rest Is Football hosts
Gary Lineker
Before he was the king of football media, Lineker was an absolute poacher in the box. Between 1978 and 1992, he scored goals for fun at Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, and Tottenham, before finally hanging up his boots in 1994 after a stint in Japan with Nagoya Grampus.
But it was on the international stage where he truly became a legend. He bagged the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup and currently holds the joint record, along with Harry Kane, as England’s highest-ever goalscorer at World Cups with 10 goals to his name. Pure heritage.
After retiring, he made a seamless transition from banging in goals to anchoring the studio, serving as the iconic face of BBC’s Match of the Day for over a quarter of a century.
Alan Shearer
Lineker isn’t the only legendary talisman on The Rest Is Football squad. Enter Alan Shearer, the man who still sits unchallenged at the absolute top of the Premier League's all-time scoring charts. He’s bagged an insane 260 Premier League goals during two legendary eras: first firing Blackburn Rovers to the title (1992–1996), and then returning home to lead the line for his beloved Newcastle United (1996–2006).
On the international stage, Big Al was just as ruthless. He racked up 30 goals for England, most famously scooping the Golden Boot at Euro 96 when football nearly came home on English soil.
Since hanging up his boots, Shearer has brought that same no-nonsense, elite striker energy to the BBC, serving as a pillar of Match of the Day analysis for the last two decades.
Micah Richards
To keep the two legendary strikers in check, you need some serious defensive muscle, and that’s where Micah Richards comes in. The powerhouse right-back racked up 179 appearances for Manchester City between 2005 and 2015, playing a massive part in bringing the Premier League and FA Cup trophies to the Etihad.
He literally burst onto the scene internationally, becoming the youngest defender ever to debut for England at just 18, and later repping Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. Since retiring, he’s become an absolute must-watch on Sky Sports, BBC, and CBS, famous for having the loudest laugh and biggest energy in football media.
Big Meeks is never one to hide his emotions, and he is absolutely hyped to take the pod global on Netflix: "I’m absolutely buzzing for this. World Cup, Netflix, New York, and The Rest Is Football on a massive stage, what more could you want?
"It’s going to have everything people love about the show, proper analysis, big opinions, dressing-room stories and, knowing us, plenty of laughs as well."