Micah Richards took a cheeky swipe at Gary Lineker just eight minutes into the BBC's first World Cup game between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The former Manchester City defender was joined by Gabby Logan, Wayne Rooney and Olivier Giroud in the studio.
When Logan directed attention to the BBC's large screen displaying New York, Richards seized the moment with a playful quip.
He said: "This is amazing. If you look over there you can, I think you can see Gary Lineker."
His comment sparked laughter in the studio, with Logan quickly responding: "Same initials. Different person."
Lineker departed the BBC entirely in May 2025 following a controversial social media post, with Logan stepping into his shoes for World Cup presenting duties.
Richards will be working with both Lineker and the BBC during the tournament.
The pundit, who regularly appears on Sky Sports during the Premier League season, is dividing his time between the BBC's UK-based studio and Lineker's Rest is Football podcast in Manhattan.
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Lineker has since moved to Netflix, where he hosts alongside Alan Shearer and Richards from a Times Square studio.
Before Richards delivered his Lineker gag, Logan aimed an earlier dig at the pundit, saying: "It's an eighth World Cup for Micah Richards watching on TV.
"We know you've been out in New York this week, and I admire your commitment, but you didn't actually need to acclimatise because I'm bringing New York to you right here."
The big screen, which shifts locations depending on the match being covered, formed part of the BBC's response to criticism over their decision to broadcast from the UK rather than travelling to America like rival broadcasters.
Richards was asked about his demanding schedule, which sees him travelling to the United States "every few days or so" throughout the tournament.
Lineker has been vocal in his criticism of the BBC's decision to remain at its Salford headquarters rather than send a team stateside.
He said: "I am very surprised the Beeb are not coming. It doesn't make sense to me. I understand that whatever they do they get criticised because that is the nature of the BBC.
"But I must say this World Cup is the biggest deal over the next five or six weeks.
"It will probably get the vast majority of the most watched television programmes of the year.
"Almost certainly therefore it justifies a presence. And they will cover it fine… but I have done many shows when we have not been able to go to tournaments and you are in a green box.
"Even if it looks like you are not at home - you are. And it's soulless."
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