Wayne Rooney (foto: Screenshot)
The England legend honoured his lost World Cup bet after Norway reached the quarter-finals, recreating the country’s famous Viking Roar celebration in New York.
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Wayne Rooney is a man of his word. After incorrectly predicting that Norway would fail to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, the former England captain has completed his promised rowing challenge on New York’s Hudson River.
Rooney made the confident prediction while working as a BBC pundit earlier in the tournament.
“If Norway get to the quarter-finals, I’ll go on the River Mersey and row down it,” he promised.
Norway responded by producing one of the most memorable campaigns of the 2026 World Cup.
They defeated Iraq, Senegal and Ivory Coast before meeting five-time champions Brazil in the round of 16. Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway recorded a famous 2-1 victory and advanced to the quarter-finals.
The Manchester City striker had not forgotten Rooney’s promise.
“Wayney boy, Wayne Rooney,” Haaland said after the victory. “I expect you to go out on a rowing trip.”
Rooney immediately accepted that the challenge had to be completed, although the location required a small adjustment.
“I’m a man of my word,” he said. “It might have to be the Hudson River when we’re in New York.”
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart volunteered to join him, while Micah Richards embraced the role of chief motivator, drummer and general source of chaos.
The group took to the Hudson on Friday with an English flag attached to their boat. Richards beat a makeshift drum and used a megaphone to recreate Norway’s viral Viking Row celebration.
The routine has become one of the images of the World Cup. Norwegian players and supporters sit in formation, lean backwards and forwards to the rhythm of a drum, and repeatedly shout “Ro, ro, ro.”
Norway’s word for rowing conveniently sounds exactly like Rooney’s surname, making the former Manchester United striker the perfect target for the celebration.
Looking into the camera from the boat, Rooney delivered his message to the Norwegian superstar.
“Haaland, as promised, we are doing our row on the Hudson River.”
The physical demands quickly appeared to trouble the 40-year-old.
“I think I’ve pulled my thigh,” Rooney admitted as the group continued rowing.
Richards responded by shouting instructions and announcing “New York, baby” through his megaphone. Rooney eventually offered his own tactical instruction and told him to be quiet.
Everyone returned to land safely, allowing Rooney to declare the bet settled.
Hart then challenged the Norway team to a rowing race before reconsidering almost immediately. Given the coordination of Norway’s players and supporters throughout the tournament, withdrawing the challenge was probably the wisest decision of the day.
Norway’s World Cup adventure ended with a narrow 2-1 quarter-final defeat to England, but the team returned home as national heroes. More than 100,000 supporters reportedly gathered in Oslo to celebrate their best World Cup campaign of the modern era.
Haaland finished the tournament with seven goals and a memorable collection of viral moments. Making Rooney row down the Hudson can now be added to the list.
The original promise mentioned the River Mersey, but Haaland is unlikely to complain. Rooney rowed, Richards supplied the noise, and Norway's World Cup bet was finally paid.