Erling Haaland has playfully reminded Wayne Rooney that a promise is a promise after Norway’s remarkable FIFA World Cup campaign earned them a place in the quarter-finals. The Manchester City striker jokingly urged the former England captain to honour his pledge to row down the River Mersey, a bet Rooney made before Norway stunned Brazil in the Round of 16. The light-hearted exchange has become one of the tournament’s most entertaining off-field moments, sparked by Norway’s now-famous “Viking Row” celebration and their fairytale run to the last eight in their first World Cup appearance since 1998.
Haaland reminds Rooney of his promise
The story began after Norway’s Round of 32 victory over Ivory Coast on June 30, when Rooney, working as a BBC Sport pundit, expressed doubts that Ståle Solbakken’s side could overcome five-time world champions Brazil. “If Norway get to the quarter-finals, I will go in the River Mersey and I’ll row down it,” Rooney joked during the broadcast. Just days later, Norway delivered one of the biggest shocks of the tournament, defeating Brazil 2-1 thanks to a second-half brace from Haaland. The victory booked a quarter-final meeting with England and immediately brought Rooney’s wager back into the spotlight.
Norway’s Erling Haaland (9) battles for the ball with Brazil’s Douglas Santos (16) and Marquinhos (4) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Speaking in his YouTube vlog after the historic win, Haaland could not resist teasing the Manchester United legend. “I’m looking forward to seeing Wayne, Wayney boy,” Haaland said. “Wayne Rooney said he was going to row if we went to the quarter-finals. So Wayne Rooney, I expect you to go out on a rowing trip!” The joke also tied into Norway’s viral “Viking Row” celebration, which has become one of the defining images of their World Cup campaign and has been embraced by both players and supporters throughout the tournament.
Rooney accepts the challenge
Rooney has since acknowledged that Haaland had every right to remind him of the bet. “Yeah, I won’t be doing that again,” Rooney joked when asked about Haaland’s comments. “But no, big Meeks (Micah Richards) is going to come along.” Former England defender Micah Richards immediately protested. “I don’t know why you keep bringing me into it!” Rooney, however, insisted the trio would be taking part together. “So me, Meeks and Harty (Joe Hart), we’re all taking part aren’t we? We’re just trying to get it put together to do it on the Hudson River (in New York).” The revised plan reflects the BBC’s World Cup broadcasting commitments in the United States, making New York’s Hudson River a more practical venue than Liverpool’s River Mersey. Rooney had already reaffirmed his commitment immediately after Norway defeated Brazil. “Was that me?” he joked. “Erm, yeah I’m a man of my word. Micah has agreed to do it with me and Gabby (Logan). “We’re a team. They’ve agreed to it. I’ll row no problem. It might have to be the Hudson River if the BBC can sort that. But I’ll do it.”
Norway continue their dream run
While Rooney prepares to fulfil his promise, Norway continue to enjoy a remarkable World Cup. The victory over Brazil ranks among the biggest upsets of the tournament and secured the Scandinavian nation’s first World Cup quarter-final since 1998. Haaland has been central to that success, scoring seven goals in just four matches to move within one strike of Golden Boot leaders Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, who both have eight. Reflecting on Norway’s achievement, the 25-year-old admitted even the players had struggled to believe what they had accomplished. “This is incredible, this is mind-blowing,” Haaland said in his vlog. “To win against Brazil and qualify for the quarter-finals was not on our bucket list. “It still doesn’t feel real because it’s just so far off like I could never think of this happening, which also makes it so crazy in my head that we actually managed to beat Brazil and go through.”With Norway taking on England for a place in the World Cup semi-finals, Haaland has already kept one promise alive. The remaining question is whether Rooney, Richards and Joe Hart will soon be swapping the BBC studio for a rowing boat on the Hudson River.
