Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney is set to host his own football show on BBC. In the programme 'Can You Beat Wayne Rooney?', the former England captain will compete against celebrities in a football trivia contest.
Each week, Rooney will meet a new opponent and tackle a series of football quiz questions. The show will be hosted by British comedian Alex Brooker and episodes will be available on BBC's sports YouTube channel and BBC iPlayer.
However, the creators aim to use the quiz format not just as a competition. The questions will provide Rooney with a chance to reminisce about his career—reflecting on matches, dressing room stories, trophy hunts, international tournaments, and former teammates.
Speaking about the concept, BBC representatives commented:
Guests will come in confident that they can beat him, but each question will unveil a new story from Wayne's illustrious football career.
Rooney himself acknowledged that the competitive nature of the format suits his personality perfectly.
The former player stated:
Everyone who knows me is aware of how competitive I am. It doesn't matter whether I'm on the football pitch, playing padel or golf, or even rowing on the Hudson.
We've adapted the podcast format to showcase this side of my character more, as people enjoy seeing it. Each guest will arrive thinking they can beat me, but honestly, I hate losing.
He also highlighted how the questions help him recall stories he hasn't thought about in years:
One question can instantly transport you back to the dressing room, a specific match, or a moment you haven't remembered in years. We'll have fantastic guests, lots of laughter, and engaging conversations about football.
The idea for this competitive format is also linked to a recent incident involving Erling Haaland. Rooney promised to row across the Hudson if Norway defeated Brazil in the World Cup. After Norway’s victory by 2-1, Haaland reminded him of the promise, and Rooney stood by his word.
Since ending his managerial career with Plymouth in 2024, Rooney has been increasingly establishing himself on television and as an expert.
