Overview
- Speaking on The Overlap, Rooney said South Africa 2010 “never felt like a World Cup,” calling it the worst edition.
- He described the trip to England’s opener against the United States as “pitch black” with “no fans,” saying the usual pre-match buzz was absent.
- England drew with the United States and Algeria, edged Slovenia to escape the group, then lost 4-1 to Germany in the round of 16 as Rooney finished without a goal.
- Coverage notes England’s remote Rustenburg base and tense fan relations, including boos after the Algeria draw and Rooney’s on-camera rebuke, as context for his view.
- South African outlets highlight widespread pride in the tournament’s legacy, recalling vuvuzelas and global praise, including Sepp Blatter’s “best-ever” label.