More than 100,000 fans flooded the streets of the Norwegian capital Oslo on Monday to give their football team a heroes’ welcome, turning the heartbreak of their World Cup exit into a massive national celebration.
A 1-2 extra-time defeat to England brought Norway’s historic run to an end in the quarterfinals. However, it did not stop the country celebrating their heroes.
Massive crowds under the Norwegian summer sun filled the grounds of the Royal Palace early on Monday afternoon, with an unofficial turnout estimated at more than 100,000 people.
“It’s simply incredible to see all the support we receive and to see how much the country is behind us,” captain Martin Odegaard told public broadcasters NRK.
“It’s really fantastic,” the Arsenal playmaker added.
The Norway squad touched down to a traditional water cannon salute before commencing its homecoming parade in the capital.
The line of supporters quickly packed the palace square before stretching far down the main street, Karl Johans gate, as the squad first attended an audience with King Harald.
The team then stepped out to greet the fans with the Royal Guard standing at attention behind it. Striker Erling Haaland was noticeably absent from the final stage of the celebrations, having left early.
His departure meant he missed joining his teammates on the palace steps for one last “Viking row” with the tens of thousands of fans gathered below, which was led by Crown Prince Haakon on the drums.
“Erling and Sander (Berge) had to catch their plane as our trip from the U.S. was delayed four hours,” coach Stale Solbakken said, as the squad prepared to continue the celebrations in an open bus parade around Oslo.
Comments
Published on Jul 14, 2026