Norway secured a 3-2 victory over Senegal on June 22 at the New York/New Jersey MetLife Stadium, qualifying for the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup [1, 2, 3]. This marks Norway’s first World Cup finals appearance since 1998, ending a 28-year absence from the tournament [1, 2, 3].
Erling Haaland stood out with two goals in the match, bringing his tournament total to four and placing him in contention for the Golden Boot [2, 4, 5]. Norway currently sits second in Group I with six points, just behind France on goal difference. Norway and France will meet on June 26 in the final group match to decide the group winner and knockout stage seeding [1, 3, 6].
Following the final whistle, Norwegian players, coaches, and fans staged the 'Viking row' celebration, a synchronized rowing motion imitation that has become a viral phenomenon at this World Cup [1, 2, 3, 6, 4, 5]. Fans were seen performing the ritual not only in stadium stands but also on escalators and in New York’s Times Square before the game, helping it emerge as a symbol of national pride and unity during the tournament [1, 7, 8, 9].
Coach Ståle Solbakken called the match against Senegal "a fantastic football match" and described the celebration as fun for fans but said the team will not continue the ritual after the World Cup [2, 4, 5]. Striker Alexander Sorloth said, "It was incredibly fun. A lot more fun than I would have thought. When you hear the sound, it's magical." He added, "If we reach our top level, we can go far" in the tournament [1].
Haaland reflected on the viral moment, saying, "I saw it online; it’s gone completely viral. Martin [Ødegaard] asked me before the game: 'Do you think we should join in?' I said, 'If we win, let’s do it, why not?'" [5].
Senegal’s path to the knockout stage has narrowed; they must defeat Iraq and rank among the best third-placed teams to continue [2, 4].
Reactions to Norway’s 'Viking row' have varied among Nordic neighbors. Swedish players expressed annoyance, calling it overused and similar to Iceland’s 'thunderclap' ritual, while Danish media described the celebration with envy and framed it as Nordic rivalry and "Nordic adult bullying" due to Norway's current success [10, 11, 12]. Swedish defender Gustaf Lagerbielke said, "I am never going to do it. We just sigh... But, whatever floats your boat." Danish journalist Johnny Wojciech Kokborg said, "You are mocking us, Norway" [10].
Norway's next match is against France on June 26 to settle Group I standings and determine knockout seedings [1, 3, 6, 4].
