▲ Crowds gather in the capital, Oslo, to welcome the Norwegian national football team.
The Norwegian national football team, which wrote a new chapter in history by reaching the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup for the first time, has returned home in triumph.
Local media reported today (July 14) that "more than 100,000 fans filled the streets of the Norwegian capital, Oslo, to welcome the football team like heroes. The disappointment of being eliminated from the World Cup turned into a massive national festival," describing the return of the Norwegian squad following the 2026 North and Central America World Cup.
Led by monster striker Erling Haaland, who scored 7 goals in this North and Central America World Cup, Norway advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in the tournament's history.
Although their great journey ended with a 2-1 comeback loss to the home of football, England, after a grueling extra-time battle, they made a powerful impression in their first World Cup appearance in 28 years since the 1998 France tournament.
In the Round of 16, they also defeated Brazil, the most successful team in tournament history with 5 titles, by a score of 2-1.
Norwegian fans gave a passionate welcome to the national team for providing them with such a dreamlike experience.
According to Reuters, an estimated crowd of over 100,000 fans gathered unofficially at the Royal Palace square in Oslo on Monday afternoon (local time) to welcome the national team players.
Norway has a total population of approximately 5.6 million.
Fans packed the Royal Palace square and lined the main thoroughfare, Karl Johans gate.
As the plane carrying the team arrived at Oslo Airport, they were greeted with a traditional water salute from fire trucks.
The players moved to the Royal Palace to speak with King Harald V, then emerged from the palace to greet fans while flanked by the Royal Guard.
Following this, to the beat of a drum played by Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the Norwegian throne, the players joined tens of thousands of fans in the Viking rowing celebration, which became the symbolic cheering culture for Norway during this tournament, sharing the joy of their World Cup quarterfinal feat.
However, Haaland was unable to participate in the ceremony.
According to Norway head coach Stale Solbakken, because the flight departing from the United States was delayed by 4 hours, Haaland and midfielder Sander Berge, who had to catch connecting flights after returning, could not join the latter part of the welcome event, including the rowing ceremony.
Earlier, Haaland drew attention by posting a photo on his social media showing him getting off a plane while holding a stuffed raccoon holding a liquor bottle.
The team later boarded an open-top bus for a parade through downtown Oslo.
Due to the massive crowds, the parade bus had to stop several times, and at one point, the bus even had to reverse as police escorts struggled to clear a path.
The welcome festivities continued even after the sun went down.
Team captain Martin Odegaard expressed his emotion in an interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK, saying, "Nobody could have imagined a scene like this," and added, "It is truly unbelievable to receive this much support and to know that the whole country is cheering for us. It is absolutely fantastic."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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