Move over, Haka. Football has a new eye-catching move, and it comes from the nation of Vikings.
Norwegian fans are stealing the show at the 2026 World Cup with a rowing celebration that celebrates their Nordic heritage. And after the national team confirmed their participation in the next stage of the World Cup, thanks to a 3-2 win against a strong Senegalese side, the national team joined in on the fun too.
The Norwegians caught the eye on the pitch too, thanks to a brace from Erling Haaland, but it’s off the pitch that the faithful are earning love and applause. The energetic rowing to the beat of a drum, complete with chanting, has made quite a sight at this World Cup, and it is a phenomenon that is capturing the imagination of the internet.
No place is safe from Norwegian conquests, as their fans took over a hapless yoga class in Times Square, surrounding the class in their thousands. That’s not all; they’ve also row row rowed their boat up escalators, inside packed trains, down busy streets, and more. A little rain hasn’t dampened their spirits either, as they turn up in droves with ponchos to drive home their point.
“We’re going to row all the way to the win, to the World Cup win! We’re going to win the World Cup!” one fan told CNN.
Haaland dominant for Norway
Haaland netted a brace to secure all three points, and with it qualification for the Norwegians, and he and the team celebrated the momentous occasion by joining the celebrations with the fans. As well they should; this is the first time the Norwegians have advanced to the knockout stages of the football World Cup since 1998, where Italy eliminated them.
The Viking-esque Haaland has score a scarcely believable 24 goals in his last 12 international games, with at least a goal scored in each of those games. His show against Senegal means he is the only player other than England’s Harry Kane who have scored two goals in each of their first two World Cup appearances in the last 50 years. Haaland is second in the Golden Boot race only to Messi, and is tied on four goals with France’s Kylian Mbappe, who are through to the next round as well after a 3-0 win against Iraq.
While not eliminated, Senegal are winless in the World Cup and face Iraq in a must-win game if they are to have any chance of advancing as the third-placed team from the group.
