The former English star Wayne Rooney directed harsh criticism towards the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa, asserting that it was the worst edition in the history of the tournament.

Rooney said that as the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico approaches, that tournament did not give him the true feeling of the World Cup atmosphere.

In his talk on the "The Overlap" podcast, Rooney explained that the atmosphere during the tournament was strange and unfamiliar, especially when the England team was heading to their matches, as the usual crowds and excitement were absent. He added that the darkness and lack of fan interaction made the experience feel completely removed from the festive atmosphere that characterizes World Cup tournaments.

Rooney also recalled the disappointment of England's exit from the Round of 16 after a heavy 4-1 defeat against Germany, a match that still lingers in his memory. He confirmed that this loss was a difficult moment in his international career and increased his frustration with that edition of the tournament.

Rooney touched on the refereeing controversy in the match, pointing to Frank Lampard's goal that clearly crossed the goal line but was not counted, considering that this decision added to the bitterness of the exit.

He concluded that the 2010 World Cup will remain one of the tournaments that left the most negative impression on him personally and professionally.