Norway fans' Viking row celebration takes over World Cup stadiums and cities

Norwegian fans perform 'Viking Row' in studio
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
June 23, 2026, 10:14 AM

The energy of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken North America by storm, from Scottish soccer fans drinking breweries dry in Boston to Norwegians taking their signature Viking row celebration from the stadiums to the streets.

Norway's now-viral synchronized celebration, in which fans mimic rowing a giant Viking ship in unison, has been spotted all across the country on escalators, New York City subways and even in the middle of Times Square.

Norwegian supporters cheer as the make the "Viking rowing" action in the streets of Oslo, on June 23, 2026, after Norway's 2026 World Cup football tournament Group I match against Senegal.
Amanda Pedersen Giske/NTB/AFP via Getty Images

When Norway defeated Senegal 3-2 on Monday night at New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium outside of the FIFA tournament), the players took a seat on the grass, and as one teammate pounded a drum, the rest began to pull their arms back in unison, as if moving an oar through the water.

Norway fans perform the Viking row in Times Square, June 21, 2026
John Sibley/Reuters

The group then collectively shouted "ro" -- Norwegian for "row" -- as they mimicked rowing a Viking ship together.

Norway soccer fans joined "Good Morning America" to show their now-viral rowing chant during the World Cup, June 23, 2026, in New York.
ABC News

Norwegian fans even joined "Good Morning America" on Tuesday to demonstrate the Viking row.

Norway has rowed its way into the tournament's round of 32, where Erling Haaland and the team will face Kylian Mbappé and France in Boston on Friday, June 26, at 3 p.m. ET.

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