On the pitch, the FIFA World Cup winner remains undecided, but off it, there is already a runaway winner — and it is not even a team. The loyal fans of Norway are stealing the show at the 2026 World Cup with their viral 'Viking row' celebrations, flooding sites across the United States with seas of supporters covered in red, performing a boat-rowing motion in unison.
What is the Viking row?
The Norwegians sit or stand in lines and move their arms as if rowing a Viking longship, usually to the beat of a drum and accompanied by chants. It is a nod to Norway's Viking heritage and seafaring history, and videos of the phenomenon are going viral online. Most notable was the Norwegians' takeover of an innocent yoga class in Times Square, where they surrounded the class in their thousands. Elsewhere, they have rowed up escalators, on rain-soaked streets with ponchos on, and inside packed trains.
“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.
Norway advances to round of 32
On Tuesday morning (AEST), they took over one end of New York New Jersey Stadium and rowed their way to a 3-2 victory over Senegal in Group I. Erling Haaland scored twice to raise his World Cup goals total to four as Norway advanced to the round of 32, before celebrating with their fans post-match by leading the Viking row.
Substitute Marcus Pederson put the Vikings ahead in the 43rd minute, and Haaland kept up his incredible goals streak in the 48th and 58th minutes to build a 3-1 lead in East Rutherford. First, he ran onto Martin Odegaard's pass and put a left-footed shot past the outstretched left hand of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, capping an end-to-end counterattack for a 2-0 lead. For his second goal, Haaland tunnelled through the defence and eight yards out raised his weaker right foot to volley in Patrick Berg's pass. Haaland raised a hand to an ear to inspire the thousands of red-clad Norway supporters behind the north goal who performed the Viking Row — chanting “Ro!” while mimicking oarsmen.
Haaland's remarkable form
Haaland has 24 goals in his last 12 international games — scoring at least once in every match — and 59 in 52 appearances. The 25-year-old Manchester City striker joined England's Harry Kane in 2018 as the only players in the last 50 years with two-goal games in their first two World Cup appearances. He is second in the Golden Boot race, one behind Argentina's Lionel Messi (five) and tied with France's Kylian Mbappe (four). Haaland nearly got another in first-half added time, hitting a post after Mendy lost control of the ball.
Ismaila Sarr scored in the 53rd and 93rd minutes for the Lions of Teranga.
Group I standings and outlook
Making their first World Cup appearance since 1998, Norway, after beating Iraq 4-1 first up, are assured of advancing from Group I along with France. The Vikings need to beat Les Bleus on Friday for first place and what would appear to be an easier path in the knockout bracket. While not eliminated, Senegal are 0-2 in a World Cup for the first time and need a win over Iraq (0-2) to have any chance of advancing as a third-placed team.
