Football fans saw former Everton, Man Utd and England striker Wayne Rooney prove he is a man of his word over the weekend after he rowed down New York’s iconic Hudson River alongside fellow pundits and Man City legends Micah Richards and Joe Hart, ahead of England’s impressive 6-4 third place win in a dead rubber France face-off that suddenly ceased to be a dead rubber after England performed so impressively (and the small matter of the World Cup Final on Sunday).
The BBC Sport punditry team swapped match analysis for maritime adventure in a pledge inspired by one of the tournament’s most memorable celebrations – the Norway players and supporters’ now-famous Viking rowing celebration during FIFA World Cup 2026.
During BBC Sport’s coverage of the tournament, Rooney jokingly pledged that he would row down the River Mersey himself if Norway were to pull off a shock victory against five-time world champions Brazil in the Round of 16.
Norway did exactly that, with two goals from Man City’s Erling Haaland securing a historic victory and a place in the quarter-finals, where they went on to face (and lose to) England on Saturday 11 July.
Staying true to his promise, Rooney later confirmed live on air that he would take on the challenge in the United States, one of the tournament’s host countries, where the BBC team were based during the tournament’s later rounds, enlisting fellow BBC pundits Richards and Hart to join him.
The trio swapped microphones for oars and took to the Hudson River, rowing together against the backdrop of the New York skyline.
Rooney said: “I loved it. The [Norwegian] fans were brilliant, weren’t they? So we’ve done it out of respect for the fans. We gave it our best shot!”
Addressing Haaland, Rooney added: “Enjoy it. We’ve seen a video of you dancing in Marbella, so hope you enjoy this!” Richards interjected “invite us next time though!”
Fans can watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday 19 July. Gabby Logan presents live from inside the New York New Jersey Stadium alongside Wayne Rooney, Micah Richards and Joe Hart.
As you’re probably already aware, England beat France in the World Cup third-place match in Miami on Saturday, while People’s Champions Spain saw off pantomime villains and reigning champions Argentina in an ill-tempered final in New York last night to claim the trophy for the second time in their history, although Rooney again stole the show on the BBC with his withering on-air assessment of the much-maligned and highly Americanised half time show as “crap.”
