Wayne Rooney agrees to BBC forfeit if England World Cup match happens | Football | Sport

Wayne Rooney has vowed to perform Norway’s iconic row if they defeat Brazil and reach the quarter-finals, potentially setting up a clash with England. The Manchester United and England legend promised to execute the Viking Row in the River Mersey should they shock the record holders.

Erling Haaland netted a late winner as the Europeans squeezed past Ivory Coast in Dallas. Antonio Nusa opened the scoring to give Stale Solbakken’s side the advantage on the stroke of half-time, but United’s Amad produced a superb individual goal to level matters. The match appeared destined for extra-time before Haaland intervened to slot home his 60th goal for Norway, becoming the quickest international player ever to achieve that milestone.

BBC presenter Gabby Logan joked that Rooney had been rehearsing the post-match celebration, which has emerged as a breakout sensation from this summer’s World Cup, and the pundit made a pledge should Norway progress to the last eight. “They’re preparing to do their iconic row. Wayne has been practicing; he hasn’t promised to deliver it tonight, but before the end of the tournament. If Norway end up beating Brazil, there is a possibility, if England get through, they’d face England,” Logan said.

Rooney replied: “If Norway get to the quarter-finals, I will go in the River Mersey and I’ll row down it.” Much like the Icelandic clap did at Euro 2016, Norway’s Viking Row has captured the imagination at the World Cup, with supporters captivating audiences worldwide with the spectacle.

It has since gone mainstream, with Martin Odegaard leading the celebration after the final whistle, while Ryder Cup star Viktor Hovland launched into his own rendition during his Traveller’s Championship PGA Tour victory last weekend. Traditionally, the ritual begins with the blowing of an ancient Norse horn before participants lower themselves to the floor in a formation that mirrors a Viking longboat. A leader beats a drum, which has become the cornerstone of the chant at the World Cup across North America. The drumbeat starts at a gentle pace before steadily gathering momentum, as fans row their arms back in unison and chant, “row”.

Rooney, a familiar face on BBC since being relieved of his managerial duties at Birmingham City in 2024, has pledged to perform the celebration in the River Mersey — one of the North West’s most iconic waterways — should Norway defeat Brazil.

The 40-year-old will discover his fate following the clash on July 5 (8pm kick-off), when the two nations meet at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Rooney will no doubt be hoping Haaland fails to stun Carlo Ancelotti’s side and secure a quarter-final berth.

Yet should the FIFA-ranked 31st nation in the world pull off the upset, the former Everton academy product might quietly take comfort in the fact that he must honour his wager in summer rather than winter, when the Mersey’s waters turn bitterly cold. In doing so, he would not be the first member of the BBC Sport broadcast team to make good on a bold pledge — Gary Lineker famously hosted Match of the Day in his boxer shorts following Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League title win in 2016.

Logan said: “You heard that here first! It’s not exactly presenting Match of the Day in your underpants, but I think it’s a fairly good thing to commit to. I’m pretty sure we’ll hold you to that as well.”