Norway’s Crown Prince Joined the Viking Rowing. Yes, It Was as Epic as It Sounds.

Thousands of people packed the streets of Oslo on Monday to welcome Norway’s national team home from the World Cup. And yes, the Viking rowing happened. Even the crown prince got in on it.

Crown Prince Haakon showed up with a scarf around his neck and drumsticks in hand, leading the crowd as fans and players locked arms and swayed in unison. The celebration was massive, loud and genuinely hard to look away from.

Norway has been the surprise story of this tournament. Erling Haaland’s team wasn’t supposed to make it this far, but they did. And their now-famous Viking rowing ritual — which started as a spontaneous locker room thing and turned into a global meme — became the centerpiece of the homecoming.

The ritual that went viral

If you’ve been anywhere near social media during this World Cup, you’ve seen it. Players lined up, arms linked, rocking back and forth like they’re paddling a longship. It started after a group stage win and just kept going. The fans adopted it. Then the whole country did.

By the time the team landed in Oslo, the Viking rowing wasn’t just a celebration. It was a statement. And when the crown prince stepped in to lead the beat, it felt less like a formal royal appearance and more like a guy who really wanted to be part of the moment.

What this means for Norway’s soccer future

This run changes things. Norway has always been seen as a one-player team — or at least a team that relies heavily on Haaland’s goals. But this World Cup showed depth. The defense held. The midfield created chances. Other guys stepped up. And now the country has a signature celebration that’s already being copied by fans across Europe.

The welcome home was the biggest for any Norwegian sports team in decades. Police estimated the crowd at over 100,000 people, and that’s probably conservative. Streets were shut down. People climbed lampposts. Kids wore Viking helmets.

As for the crown prince, he later told reporters he’d been practicing the drumbeat for days. Which is either very prepared or very funny. Probably both.

Norway’s next test comes in September when World Cup qualifying resumes. But for now, the rowing continues.