Rooney earns £800,000 BBC deal and reunites with Queiroz as World Cup pundit

Wayne Rooney has signed a two-year deal worth a reported £800,000 with the BBC, establishing the former Manchester United and England captain as one of the broadcaster’s highest-paid analysts ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America.

The 40-year-old made his punditry debut at Euro 2024 before joining the BBC’s regular Match of the Day roster, and has drawn widespread praise for his direct commentary and tactical insight. His appearance at the broadcaster’s Salford studio during France’s opening group match prompted considerable attention on social media, with viewers noting a noticeably sharper look from the former forward.

Rooney’s broadcasting income sits well below the reported £300,000-per-week salary he commanded at the peak of his playing career, though his net worth is estimated at approximately £130 million.

England’s group-stage fixture against Ghana on Tuesday carries a personal dimension for Rooney. Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz served as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Old Trafford across two spells, the second of which overlapped with Rooney’s £25 million arrival from Everton in 2004. The pair worked together for four years, with Queiroz frequently credited with helping the young forward develop into one of the Premier League’s most dangerous attackers before departing to take charge of the Portugal national side.

Rooney himself had a modest record at the World Cup as a player, scoring just once in 11 appearances across three tournaments for England. His transition into punditry has, by contrast, been swift and well-received, with the BBC leaning on him as a go-to voice for major matches throughout the competition.