Norway's memorable FIFA World Cup 2026 journey may have ended with quarter-final disappointment, but the national team's return home turned into a massive celebration on Monday (local time), with more than 100,000 fans gathering across Oslo to honour their achievements.
Despite suffering a 2-1 extra-time defeat to England in the quarter-finals, the Norwegian squad received a rousing reception from supporters, who celebrated the team's best World Cup campaign in decades and its remarkable run to the last eight.
The players arrived in Oslo to a ceremonial water cannon salute before embarking on a victory parade through the capital. Thousands of supporters lined Karl Johans gate, the city's main boulevard, and assembled around the Royal Palace, where the squad first met King Harald before appearing on the palace balcony to greet cheering fans.
The homecoming festivities also featured one final rendition of the team's popular "Viking row" celebration, with Crown Prince Haakon taking centre stage by leading the traditional drumbeat. However, star striker Erling Haaland was not present during the public celebrations after leaving early to catch a flight.
Norway's national football team shared a video of the celebrations on its official X account, Fotballandslaget, accompanied by the Norwegian saying, "Borte bra, hjemme best" ("Away is good, home is best"), reflecting the pride of a nation that watched its team surpass expectations on football's biggest stage.
Addressing the absence of Haaland and midfielder Sander Berge, head coach Stale Solbakken explained, "Erling and Sander (Berge) had to catch their plane as our trip from the U.S. was delayed four hours."
Also read: CSK and Stephen Fleming part ways after 18 years
Captain Martin Odegaard expressed his gratitude to supporters for the extraordinary backing the team received throughout the tournament. "I don't think anyone had imagined this," Odegaard said. "The support we have received in the USA and here at home in Norway has been beyond all expectations. It has been absolutely incredible to see."
The open-top bus parade through central Oslo progressed more slowly than expected as massive crowds packed the streets. At one point, the bus was forced to reverse temporarily while police cleared a safe route through the sea of supporters.
The celebrations also encountered a brief interruption when low-hanging overhead cables forced players standing on the upper deck of the bus to sit down before the parade could continue.
The incident carried an ironic reminder of Norway's controversial quarter-final defeat to England. After the match, Solbakken had claimed that the ball struck a camera cable before Jude Bellingham's equalising goal, an assertion that FIFA has consistently rejected.
Despite the unexpected delays, the parade eventually reached City Hall Square, where tens of thousands of fans were waiting to give the players a fitting welcome home and celebrate a World Cup campaign that has reignited enthusiasm for Norwegian football.
Follow us
