Wayne Rooney Keeps Promise, Rows Down Hudson River with Joe Hart and Micah Richards

Wayne Rooney keeps his promise, rows down Hudson River with Joe Hart and Micah Richards after Norway's historic win.

What happened?

Norway's stunning run in the FIFA World Cup 2026 has led to a viral moment, with Wayne Rooney, a former England captain, fulfilling his World Cup wager by rowing down the Hudson River with fellow England internationals Joe Hart and Micah Richards.

Why it matters for Wayne Rooney

The incident highlights Rooney's good sportsmanship and ability to laugh at himself, even when his predictions go awry. His willingness to adapt the terms of the bet to fit his current location, stating, "It might have to be the Hudson River, when we are in New York," showcases his flexibility and commitment to keeping his promise.

What comes next?

The video of Rooney, Hart, and Richards navigating the Hudson River has gone viral, with football fans globally praising Rooney for being an excellent sport and maintaining brilliant chemistry with his colleagues. The incident serves as a reminder of the power of sportsmanship and the importance of keeping one's word, even in the face of unexpected outcomes.

Wayne Rooney's World Cup wager began earlier in the tournament during the television coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026. While discussing the potential trajectory of the tournament's dark horses, Rooney made a definitive pledge regarding the Norwegian national team. "If Norway get to the quarter-finals, I'll go on the River Mersey and I'll row down it," Rooney confidently declared.

However, soccer has a unique way of defying expectations. Powered by a magnificent performance from Erling Haaland, who slammed home two crucial goals, Norway shocked the world by defeating Brazil 2-1 to book a historic ticket into the quarter-finals.

Immediately after securing the historic win over Brazil, Haaland took to the media to ensure Rooney wouldn't escape his televised promise. In a lighthearted post-match reminder, the Manchester City talisman grinned as he directly addressed the icon: "Wayney boy, Wayne Rooney, I expect you to go out on a rowing trip."

Rooney took the banter in stride, quickly acknowledging the defeat of his prediction. Because he was stationed in the United States for the local tournament broadcasting schedules, returning to Liverpool's River Mersey wasn't logistically feasible. Instead, Rooney adjusted the terms slightly to fit his current location.

The highly anticipated moment finally arrived when the BBC released a video showing the legendary forward fulfilling his obligation. Far from tackling the waters alone, Rooney recruited fellow former England internationals and broadcast colleagues Joe Hart and Micah Richards to join him.

The viral video shows the three ex-players navigating a rowing boat directly down New York's iconic Hudson River. The footage features plenty of good-natured banter, with the trio trying to maintain their rowing rhythm beneath the New York skyline. Football fans globally have flooded social media with appreciation and comedic commentary, praising Rooney for being an excellent sport and maintaining brilliant chemistry with his colleagues.

Wayne Rooney - A man of his word!