Wayne Rooney signs up to BBC forfeit if England World Cup quarter-final scenario plays out

Wayne Rooney signs up to BBC forfeit if England World Cup quarter-final scenario plays out Norway's Viking Row has stolen headlines at the World Cup and BBC Sport pundit Wayne Rooney has made a daring promise Wayne Rooney has promised to perform Norway's iconic row if they beat Brazil and reach the quarter-finals and end up potentially facing England. The Manchester United and England icon vowed to do the Viking Row in the River Mersey in the North West should they stun the record holders. Erling Haaland scored the winner late on as the Europeans edged past Ivory Coast in Dallas. Antonio Nusa broke the deadlock to give Stale Solbakken's side the lead on the stroke of half-time but United's Amad scored a wonderful solo effort to restore parity. The game looked set to head to extra-time but Haaland was on hand to steer home his 60th goal for Norway, becoming the fastest ever international talisman to reach that landmark. BBC presenter Gabby Logan joked that Rooney had been practicing the post-match ritual, which has become a breakout star from this summer's World Cup, and the pundit made a promise if Norway reach 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." Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now! As the Icelandic clap did at Euro 2016, Norway's Viking Row has taken the World Cup by storm with supporters stealing the show with the phenomenon. It has since gone mainstream with Martin Odegaard leading the orchestra post-match while Ryder Cup star Viktor Hovland broke out into his own rendition during his Traveller's Championship PGA Tour event win last weekend. Traditionally, it starts with the blowing of a traditional Norse horn before everyone sits down on the floor in a formation resembling a Viking longboat. The leader bangs a drum, which has become the fabric of the chant at the World Cup across North America. The drum starts slowly at first and quickens with every beat while the fans row their arms back in unison and chant, "row". Rooney, who has been a regular for BBC since being relieved of his duties as Birmingham City manager in 2024, says he will perform the action in the River Mersey, a major river in the North West, should they beat Brazil. The 40-year-old will learn his fate after the showdown on July 5 (8pm kick-off) when the two nations showdown at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Rooney may be hoping that Haaland doesn't stun Carlo Ancelotti's side and book their place in the last-eight. But should the FIFA-ranked 31st nation in the world do so, the Everton academy graduate may be relieved that he will be forced to honour his bet in the summer and not in the winter when the temperatures of the Mersey waters plummet. In doing so, he wouldn't be the first member of the BBC Sport broadcast team to fulfil a promise after Gary Lineker presented Match of the Day in his boxers after Leicester City's famous Premier League triumph 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."