Thousands of Norwegian football fans gathered in Oslo on July 1 to celebrate Norway’s 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in the World Cup round of 32 with a large-scale "Viking row" along Karl Johans gate, the city’s main street starting near the Royal Palace [1, 2]. The synchronized rowing chant involves fans mimicking a Viking longboat, moving their arms back and forth in unison while chanting "Row!" to a drumbeat, a cheer created less than six months ago by fan Ole Frøystad in a bar near Oslo [3].
The post-match celebration drew more than two million Norwegian viewers on TV in a country of about 5.5 million, reflecting the widespread excitement around the team’s success [1, 2]. Norwegian players including captain Martin Ødegaard have embraced Viking iconography both on and off the field, performing the row after matches and sporting jerseys with runic scripts as well as warrior-themed photoshoots [3, 4]. Trond Sveva, a fan, said, "We’re a small country, and everyone can take part. It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, sitting in the VIP section or in the cheapest seats – you can still row" [4].
The celebration stretched beyond the stadiums, taking place in schools, nursing homes—including about 300 residents—and even Norway’s parliament, where the prime minister joined the chant [4]. However, not all Norwegians embraced the phenomenon. Football journalist Aleksander Schau described the Viking row as "an introvert’s nightmare" despite being happy with the team’s strong performance [4].
The jubilant revelry caused damage in Oslo, including uprooted plants, torn fence posts, and dents to metro trains. Transit operator Sporveien had to remove several metro carriages from service for repairs. Gina Scholz, communications manager for Sporveien, said, "It is unfortunate that people get so carried away that it affects our equipment. It has been a fantastic evening" [1]. Royal Gardener Ole Johan Hildre also expressed concern, saying, "I daren’t think what will happen if we make it all the way to the final" [1].
Norway’s success advanced after their June 27 win against Senegal, where players first performed the Viking row on the field [3, 4]. The Viking cheer has quickly become a signature World Cup fan chant originating in February 2026 and spreading widely.
Sporveien continues repairs on affected metro carriages in Oslo following the celebration damage [1, 2].
