Lineker recalls fearing death during hat-trick game at Mexico 86 World Cup

Gary Lineker has revealed he feared he was going to die during the 1986 World Cup group game against Poland in Monterrey, the match widely credited with launching his international career.

Lineker scored a hat-trick that day to drag England back from the brink of an early exit, but the 65-year-old told The i Paper that the scoreline masked a deeply alarming physical experience. “It was murder, absolute murder,” he said. “We played three times in Monterrey, one at 12pm, the other two at 4pm, and it got to 42 degrees. When I played and scored the hat-trick, in the second half of that game, I really did think I was going to keel over and I might be a goner.”

Lineker described his legs giving way and dizziness setting in from the combined effects of heat and exhaustion, with no drinks breaks available to players under the tournament rules of the time. “You get on with it,” he said, “and it will have changed a bit now.”

The recollections carry fresh relevance as the 2026 World Cup approaches, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Several matches are scheduled during daytime hours, including two of England’s group games kicking off at 4pm local time in the US, raising familiar concerns about player welfare in extreme heat. Organisers have confirmed drinks breaks will be permitted if temperatures become particularly severe — a safeguard that was not in place forty years ago.

Lineker stepped down as the host of Match of the Day in May 2025 after 26 years in the role, following sustained criticism over political posts on social media. His departure was precipitated by a row over an Instagram post about Zionism that included imagery described as historically antisemitic.

He will cover the 2026 tournament through a different avenue: a daily Netflix show built around The Rest Is Football, the podcast produced by his company Goalhanger Podcasts, alongside Micah Richards and Alan Shearer.

Reflecting on life after the BBC, Lineker said he had gained a degree of personal freedom. “I’ve got a bit more time, I’m not treading on quite so many eggshells these days, I’m allowed an opinion on things. But no, I had a wonderful period at the Beeb, and I’ve covered so many major tournaments.”

He also expressed mild surprise at the BBC’s reported plan to keep most of its presenting team in the UK until the final week of the tournament. “I won’t miss being in the green box itself,” Lineker said, “but I miss some of the company.”