Viking Fever: Norway’s Viral Rowing Celebration Takes Over The World Cup | WATCH

Last Updated:June 23, 2026, 10:51 IST

Norway’s Viking rowing celebration has become the viral sensation of the World Cup, with Haaland and Co. leading fans after sealing knockout qualification.

While Erling Haaland’s goals grabbed headlines, it was the Norway team’s now-iconic “Viking row" celebration that once again stole the spotlight.

Norway booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Senegal on Monday.

Fresh off securing qualification, Norway’s players dropped to the pitch and performed the rowing ritual that has rapidly become one of the defining images of the tournament.

Haaland, who scored twice to take his tally to four goals in two World Cup matches and an incredible 59 goals in 52 international appearances, joined captain Martin Odegaard and the rest of the squad in front of the travelling supporters.

The celebration, inspired by Norway’s Viking heritage and maritime history, has become much more than a post-match ritual. It has evolved into a global phenomenon.

A Celebration That Has Gone Viral

Throughout the tournament, Norwegian supporters have been spotted performing the Viking row everywhere imaginable.

Fans have rowed through stadium concourses, fan zones, city streets and even on escalators. Before Norway’s qualification-clinching victory, thousands of supporters gathered in New York’s Times Square and transformed one of the world’s busiest landmarks into a sea of synchronised rowing.

The craze has travelled far beyond the United States.

Back home in Norway, television cameras captured fans in Trondheim joining the celebrations moments after the final whistle. The rowing ritual effectively connected supporters across continents in one giant show of unity.

Solbakken’s Emotional Sprint

The post-match scene became even more memorable thanks to Norway coach Ståle Solbakken.

At the final whistle, the veteran manager sprinted into the stands to embrace and kiss his wife before rushing back to join his players on the pitch.

Only then did the team begin the rowing routine.

With the squad seated in rows resembling a Viking longboat, Odegaard acted as the drummer, setting the rhythm while Solbakken squeezed into the middle behind Haaland. Together they rowed in unison as thousands of Norwegian supporters sang along.

Football Fever Grips Norway

The Viking row has become so popular that it has even reached Norway’s political circles.

Days before qualification was secured, members of the Norwegian parliament briefly put politics aside and joined the viral trend, performing the rowing motion inside the government chamber in support of the national team.

Now, with Norway through to the knockout rounds for the first time in a generation, the Viking row is no longer just a celebration.

It is the World Cup’s latest viral sensation.

About the Author

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His...Read More

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