Former England football stars Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, and Micah Richards swapped their punditry microphones for oars this week, taking to the Hudson River in New York to fulfil a World Cup bet. The unusual spectacle saw the trio navigate the waters, much to the delight of onlookers and fans who had followed the pledge made by Rooney earlier in the tournament.
The commitment originated during the World Cup's last 16 stage when Rooney, a BBC Sport pundit, vowed to row down the River Mersey if Norway managed to defeat five-time champions Brazil. Norway subsequently achieved a surprising 2-1 victory, prompting Rooney to confirm live on air that he would honour his word, albeit relocating the challenge to the Hudson River in the United States.
Rooney expressed his enjoyment of the experience, stating, "I loved it. The fans were brilliant. So we've done it out of respect for the fans." The 'Viking row' celebration by Norway fans had become a notable feature of the World Cup, with even Norway striker Erling Haaland publicly urging Rooney to participate in a rowing trip.
Despite their surprising run, Norway were eventually knocked out of the tournament by England in the quarter-finals. The rowing stunt provided a light-hearted moment during the final days of the World Cup, capturing the spirit of the competition and the camaraderie among the pundits.
The trio will now return to dry land and their usual roles alongside Gabby Logan for the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, scheduled for Sunday, 19 July, at 20:00 BST. This will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Before that, England are set to face France in the World Cup third-place match on Saturday, 18 July, at 22:00 BST, also available live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.