▲ The Norwegian national team performs the 'Viking Row' celebration with captain Martin Odegaard.
The Norwegian national football team, which has secured an early spot in the Round of 32 with two consecutive wins in its first FIFA World Cup appearance in 28 years, shared the joy with fans by performing the so-called "Viking Row" celebration.
Norway defeated Senegal 3-2 in the Group I match of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, held at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on June 23 (KST).
Following a 4-1 victory over Iraq in their opening match, Norway has now secured two straight wins, accumulating 6 points (7 goals scored, 3 conceded). They currently sit in second place in the group, trailing France—who defeated Iraq 3-0 earlier today—on goal difference.
However, regardless of the outcome of their final group stage match against France on June 27, Norway has already secured at least a second-place finish, guaranteeing their advancement to the Round of 32.
After the match, the Norwegian players gathered on the pitch in front of their supporters.
Led by Erling Haaland, who has scored two goals in each of the team's two matches in the tournament, the players sat in a formation resembling a Viking ship.
Captain Martin Odegaard appeared carrying a drum.
Odegaard, who had joined the players late after celebrating with his wife in the stands immediately following the final whistle, called over head coach Stale Solbakken, who was standing behind the group, to sit down behind Haaland.
The players then began a rowing motion in rhythm with the drumbeat provided by Odegaard, shouting "Ror," the Norwegian word for "row."
Norwegian fans in the stands joined in, creating a spectacular scene.
In an interview with Fox Sports, Haaland shared the story behind the celebration: "I saw it online, it went completely viral. Odegaard asked me before the game, 'Should we join in?' and I replied, 'Let's do it if we win, why not?'"
The "Viking Row" has become a national cheering culture symbolizing Norway, the "descendants of Vikings," in this tournament.
Beyond the stadium stands, the sight of Norwegian fans performing the rowing motion has been captured in various locations, including on escalators and throughout the cities of Boston and New York, where Norway has played its matches.
Following their first match, a video went viral showing members of the Norwegian Parliament shouting "Ror" in unison while leaning back in their seats after the Speaker of the Parliament struck the gavel.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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