Former England national football team captain Wayne Rooney has stirred fresh debate after branding the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa as the worst in the competition’s history.
Speaking on The Overlap podcast, the ex-Manchester United forward did not hold back in his assessment of the tournament.
“You are not getting a worse World Cup than South Africa in 2010. That tournament never felt like a World Cup,” Rooney said.
His comments have reignited conversations about the legacy of the historic event, which was the first World Cup hosted on African soil.
Rooney’s view appears influenced by England’s disappointing campaign. The Three Lions struggled throughout the tournament, drawing criticism after a goalless stalemate against Algeria national football team and eventually crashing out in the Round of 16 following a heavy defeat to Germany national football team.
The former striker endured a difficult tournament personally, failing to score and facing backlash from fans during the group stage.
Despite Rooney’s criticism, many still regard the 2010 edition as one of the most memorable World Cups. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter once described it as the best tournament ever staged.
Rooney’s remarks, however, show how personal experience can shape perspectives—especially on football’s biggest stage.