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Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland led the celebrations after Norway confirmed their qualification for the Round of 32 at the World Cup.

Norway’s long-awaited return to the World Cup, ending a 28-year absence, has introduced a new and widely celebrated fan tradition known as the ‘Viking Row.’

This coordinated display has quickly become the defining image of Norway’s campaign, both within the stadiums and among fans across the world.

The ritual sees supporters in the stands sitting down and moving back and forth in rhythm to a steady drumbeat, simulating the rowing of a Viking longboat. The motion is accompanied by a deep, unified chant of ‘Ro!’ — which happens to be the Norwegian word for ‘row.’

Despite its historic appearance, the ‘Viking Row’ is a modern creation rather than an ancient tradition. It was first conceived in 2025 by Ole Froystad, a coordinator within Norway’s official supporters’ group, who wanted to give fans a distinctive and unified identity ahead of the tournament.

The celebration is performed to the song Vikingblod (‘Viking Blood’), which recently reached the number one spot on Norway’s Spotify charts. The beat of the song perfectly matches the rowing rhythm, amplifying the atmosphere across the stands.

What began as a matchday spectacle has since spread beyond the stadiums. Fans have been seen performing the ‘Viking Row’ in public places such as metro stations, escalators, and open squares in host cities like Boston and New York. The scenes have quickly gone viral, generating massive engagement on social media and symbolising Norway’s spirited return to the global stage.

Norway’s national team players have also embraced the tradition. Following their thrilling 3-2 group stage victory over Senegal at the New York New Jersey Stadium — a result that secured their place in the knockout rounds — Odegaard, Haaland, and the rest of the squad joined fans on the pitch, synchronising their movements in unison with the crowd.

This moment of unity between players and supporters has drawn comparisons to Iceland’s famous ‘Thunder Clap’ celebration from the 2016 European Championship — another example of Scandinavian passion and creativity making waves in world football.