Rooney earns £800,000 BBC deal and reunites with old mentor Queiroz at World Cup 2026

Wayne Rooney is being paid a reported £800,000 over two years by the BBC to serve as one of its lead pundits at the 2026 World Cup in North America, making the former England captain one of the broadcaster’s highest-paid on-screen figures.

Rooney, 40, made his first appearance for the tournament from the BBC’s Salford studio last week, joining Olivier Giroud and Gael Clichy to analyse France’s opening group win against Senegal. Viewers took to social media to comment on his noticeably sharper appearance, with many praising the former striker’s more toned look.

The punditry role marks the latest chapter in a post-playing career that has moved quickly. After retiring in 2021, Rooney managed Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle before pivoting to broadcasting. He impressed during his punditry debut at Euro 2024 and has since become a regular presence on Match of the Day, earning a reputation for direct analysis and tactical clarity.

Reunion with Queiroz

England’s group-stage meeting with Ghana on Tuesday carries a personal dimension for Rooney. Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz served as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United across two spells at Old Trafford, the second of which overlapped with Rooney’s £25 million arrival from Everton in 2004. The pair worked together for four years, with Queiroz widely credited as a significant influence on Rooney’s development into one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards. Queiroz left United in 2008 to take charge of the Portugal national team.

From £300,000 a week to £800,000 a year

At the peak of his playing career, Rooney reportedly earned in excess of £300,000 per week at Manchester United. His BBC contract does not reach those figures, but the £800,000 two-year agreement has added to an estimated net worth of around £130 million.

Rooney scored just once in 11 World Cup appearances across three tournaments for England. Now stationed in a studio rather than a dugout, he is shaping up as one of the more prominent voices of the 2026 edition.