The BBC has made clear it will not use licence fee payers’ money to help leading pundits such as Micah Richards to work for rival podcasts during this summer’s World Cup.

Cost constraints and environmental considerations mean the BBC’s World Cup presentation will come from its Salford studios for the bulk of the tournament, with Richards expected to have a leading role. However, he has also committed to appearing on The Rest is Football podcast, which will be presented by Gary Lineker in New York.

During Euro 2024 the then BBC trio of Lineker, Richards and Alan Shearer recorded episodes of The Rest is Football together in Berlin, but the BBC’s decision to stay at home and Lineker’s split from the corporation last year have created issues in terms of filming together during the World Cup.

In another complication, The Rest is Football is expected to be shot to higher production standards this summer owing to a distribution deal with Netflix, which will be making the podcast available on its platforms after a £14m deal agreed last month.

Netflix’s deal with Lineker’s production company, Goalhanger, is understood to include a commitment to produce more than 40 Rest is Football video podcasts during the World Cup, which the streaming platform will want to feature as many big-name guests as possible.

Lineker will be in Netflix’s New York studio throughout, with other pundits to join him when they are available. The BBC has told its pundits that it is happy for them to do other media work during the World Cup and many are expected to do so, but it will not subsidise the cost. As a result Richards’s travel costs will have to be met by Netflix or Goalhanger.

Shearer will be in the US throughout the tournament on co-commentary duties for the BBC, so there is more chance of him presenting The Rest is Football alongside Lineker in person.

Gary Lineker (left) and Alan Shearer will both be in the US this summer for the World Cup. Photograph: Ben Whitley/PA

The Match of the Day presenters Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan will be based in the Salford studio for the bulk of the World Cup, although one or more of them may travel to the US later in the tournament, particularly if England or Scotland reach the latter stages.

The trio will also have podcasting duties during the World Cup as presenters of The Sports Agents, which is expected to record its programmes remotely.

The BBC chose to base its World Cup coverage in the UK in part because the huge travel distances involved would affect its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.

The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, resulting in an increase from 64 to 104 matches, has also influenced its thinking. Despite this rise the BBC’s matches will be shown on its main channels rather than on iPlayer, with UK rights shared with ITV.

The BBC and The Rest is Football declined to comment.