Haaland reminds Rooney of rowing bet before Norway-England World Cup quarterfinal
Erling Haaland publicly called out Wayne Rooney to fulfill a bet to row down the River Mersey after Norway upset Brazil 2-1 to reach the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals. Rooney had jokingly promised to row if Norway advanced. Haaland scored twice in the win and has seven tournament goals. Rooney acknowledged the bet, saying he’d row with Micah Richards and Joe Hart, possibly on the Hudson River. The viral exchange builds hype ahead of Norway’s quarterfinal clash with England in Miami.
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Rooney Fulfills Bet with Haaland, Pulls Thigh Muscle During Hudson River Rowing Challenge
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney fulfilled a bet with Erling Haaland by completing a 'Viking rowing' challenge on the Hudson River in New York. The bet originated from Rooney's earlier prediction on BBC Sport that if Norway reached the World Cup quarter-finals, he would row on the Mersey River. Norway exceeded expectations, defeating Iraq, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and upsetting five-time champions Brazil 2-1 in the round of 16, with Haaland scoring a brace. After the match, Haaland called out Rooney to honor the bet. On Friday, Rooney, joined by former England goalkeeper Joe Hart and Micah Richards, rowed on the Hudson River. During the challenge, Rooney jokingly claimed he pulled his hamstring. Richards played a makeshift drum and used a megaphone. Afterward, Hart briefly challenged the Norwegian team to a rowing race before retracting it.
虎扑 - 足球Wayne Rooney fulfills viral World Cup bet by rowing down River Hudson
Wayne Rooney, former Manchester United star and current BBC pundit, has fulfilled a viral bet made during the 2026 World Cup. He had promised to row down the River Mersey if Norway reached the quarter-finals. After Norway beat Brazil to advance, Rooney, alongside fellow pundits Joe Hart and Micah Richards, rowed down the River Hudson instead. Rooney stated he 'loved it' and did it 'out of respect for the fans.' He will continue his punditry duties for the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. The article also recaps Rooney's playing and managerial career.
Yardbarker: SoccerWayne Rooney fulfills World Cup bet by rowing down Hudson River after Norway's quarter-final run
Former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney has honored a public bet made during the 2026 World Cup. After Norway, led by Erling Haaland, defeated Brazil 2-1 in the round of 16 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time, Rooney had pledged to row down Liverpool's River Mersey. Haaland publicly reminded Rooney of the promise. Rooney, joined by fellow pundits Micah Richards and Joe Hart, instead rowed down the Hudson River in New York, joking about pulling his thigh. Rooney said he did it out of respect for Norway's fans, who became famous for their 'Viking row' celebrations. England later beat Norway in extra-time but lost to Argentina in the semi-finals, and will play France for third place. The final is between Spain and Argentina.
Mirror - FootballWayne Rooney, Joe Hart, and Micah Richards row down Hudson River after World Cup pledge
BBC Sport pundit Wayne Rooney fulfilled a promise made during the 2026 FIFA World Cup by rowing down the Hudson River in New York alongside fellow pundits Joe Hart and Micah Richards. The challenge originated when Rooney pledged to row down the River Mersey if Norway beat Brazil in the round of 16. Norway won 2-1, and Rooney confirmed the stunt live on air. The trio swapped microphones for oars, wearing life jackets, as Norway fans' Viking row celebration became a tournament sensation. Norway striker Erling Haaland had encouraged Rooney to follow through. Norway was later eliminated by England in the quarter-finals. Rooney, Hart, and Richards will return to BBC coverage for the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on July 19, and the third-place match between England and France on July 18.
BBC SportRooney, Hart, and Richards Row Down Hudson River After World Cup Pledge
BBC Sport pundit Wayne Rooney fulfilled a promise to row down the Hudson River in New York alongside fellow pundits Joe Hart and Micah Richards. The pledge originated after Norway beat Brazil 2-1 in the World Cup last 16, prompting Rooney to vow a rowing trip. Norway striker Erling Haaland publicly encouraged Rooney to follow through. The trio swapped microphones for oars and completed the row, with Rooney saying he did it 'out of respect for the fans.' Norway was later eliminated by England in the quarter-finals. Rooney, Hart, and Richards will return to broadcasting duties for the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on Sunday, while England faces France in the third-place match on Saturday.
BBC SportWayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Micah Richards row down Hudson River after World Cup pledge
BBC Sport pundits Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, and Micah Richards rowed down the Hudson River in New York on July 18, 2026, fulfilling a pledge Rooney made during the World Cup. After Norway beat Brazil 2-1 in the round of 16, Rooney promised live on air to row down the River Mersey if Norway won. The challenge evolved into a Hudson River row in the US, inspired by Norway fans' Viking row celebration. Norway striker Erling Haaland had publicly urged Rooney to follow through. The trio, wearing life jackets, swapped microphones for oars and were cheered by fans. Rooney said he did it 'out of respect for the fans.' Norway was later eliminated by England in the quarter-finals. Rooney, Hart, and Richards will return to punditry for the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on July 19, while England plays France in the third-place match on July 18.
BBC SportWayne Rooney put on the spot in response to Erling Haaland message before England vs Norway
Former England captain Wayne Rooney was publicly challenged by Norway striker Erling Haaland after Rooney joked he would row down the River Mersey if Norway reached the World Cup quarter-finals. Norway defeated Brazil 2-1, with Haaland scoring twice, to set up a quarter-final clash with England in Miami. Haaland, speaking ahead of the match, told Rooney he expected him to go on a rowing trip. Rooney, appearing on BBC, admitted he would not make such a bet again and said he would bring former teammates Micah Richards and Joe Hart along. The Mayor of Liverpool also offered Rooney an alternative: rowing a new £26m Mersey Ferry instead.
Mirror - FootballHaaland Calls on Rooney to Fulfill Rowing Bet After Norway Upsets Brazil
After Norway stunned Brazil 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1998, Erling Haaland publicly called on former England captain Wayne Rooney to honor a bet. Rooney had previously dismissed Norway's chances on his BBC show, promising to row a boat on the Mersey River if they advanced. Following the upset, Rooney admitted his prediction backfired but pledged to keep his word, planning to row with fellow pundits Micah Richards and Joe Hart, possibly on the Hudson River. Haaland scored both goals in the match and has netted seven in four games. Norway next faces England in the quarterfinals.
虎扑 - 足球Erling Haaland Celebrated by Google with Viking Row Animation Before England Game
Google has created a special animation for Erling Haaland, featuring Nordic Vikings rowing, which appears when users search his name. The Manchester City striker, who has seven goals at the 2026 World Cup, teased the feature on social media. The animation includes the sound of Haaland shouting 'Ro' with a drumbeat. This comes days before Norway's World Cup quarter-final against England. Additionally, former England star Wayne Rooney has vowed to row down the River Mersey (or in New York) after Haaland reminded him of a promise made following Norway's surprise win against Brazil in the round of 16.
Yardbarker: SoccerErling Haaland calls out Wayne Rooney over rowing bet after Norway reaches World Cup quarter-finals
Erling Haaland has publicly reminded Wayne Rooney of his bet to row down the River Mersey if Norway reached the World Cup quarter-finals. Rooney made the bet before Norway's round of 16 match against Brazil, which Norway won 2-0 thanks to two goals from Haaland. Speaking ahead of England's quarter-final against Norway, Haaland said he expects to see Rooney rowing in Liverpool. Rooney later acknowledged the bet, claiming he is a man of his word and that Micah Richards has agreed to join him, possibly on the Hudson River in New York instead. BBC Sport mocked up a graphic of Rooney rowing on the Mersey. The bet was inspired by Norway's viral rowing celebration. The winner of the England-Norway match will face either Switzerland or Argentina in the semi-finals.
Mirror - FootballErling Haaland Reminds Wayne Rooney of His ‘Rowing’ Promise Ahead of Norway vs. England Quarter-Finals Clash
Erling Haaland has playfully reminded former England captain Wayne Rooney of a promise he made years ago to row down the River Mersey if Norway reached the World Cup quarter-finals. After Norway defeated Brazil in the Round of 16, Haaland posted a light-hearted video on social media calling on Rooney to fulfill his pledge. The exchange has generated buzz ahead of the upcoming quarter-final match between Norway and England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. England advanced by beating Mexico in a thriller. The match carries high stakes as both teams vie for a semi-final berth.
Yardbarker: Soccer