Norway's fans are inspiring their team at the World Cup, as the dark horse rows on

BOSTON — Norway's fans have been one of the stories of this 2026 men's World Cup and they aren't ready to stop rowing across America. "We are Vikings, we row a lot!" Hanne Kristine Austenaa, from Oslo, laughed, as she stood in her bucket hat with Norwegian flags braided into her hair. "It's from our heritage and I think it's good we started this thing." The USA and the world has loved the row, and Norway, at this tournament and the team many tipped to be darkhorses before it all kicked off are now in the knockout rounds at World Cup. Why can't Norway keep on rowing away deep into this tournament? Norway's famous row now heads to Dallas on Tuesday, as their much-changed team lost 4-1 to World Cup favorites France in Boston on Friday after a plucky display. FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 26: Norway fans rowing during the FIFA World Cup Group I match between Norway and France at Boston Stadium on June 26, 2026, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) ISI Photos via Getty Images That means they face the Ivory Coast in the Round of 32 and they're on the same side of the knockout bracket as Brazil and England. If Norway make a deep run, would either Brazil or England want to come up against Erling Haaland and Co.? I don't think so. The Scandinavians now have their entire best XI rested, with Haaland, Martin Odegaard and several starters not even stepping on the pitch against France in Boston. Their fans were still rowing, as they heaved and pulled in unison midway through the first half after their side made it 2-1 and looked dangerous in attack. Norway's fans never gave up hope. An imaginary oar will always be ready. FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 26: Norway fans enjoy the atmosphere during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Norway and France at Boston Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) Getty Images They blew a huge Viking Horn before the game. There were Viking hats everywhere. They outnumbered the French fans in Boston considerably, with bright red and dark blue crosses everywhere you looked. In New York City they've taken over Mets games and Times Square with the row, the Kabin restaurant has a special menu celebrating Norwegian food, and they just keep on rowing and having fun. "Everyone seeing all the Norwegians here, it is amazing to see how everyone comes together with the rowing," Norway fan Adrian Eide, from Stavanger, said. "I think it has made everyone come together and just super excited to see if it helps the team." Imagine you are heading to Times Square NYC to see “Les Miserables” and you stumble into this … #Norway play #Senegal tomorrow at MetLife Stadium pic.twitter.com/JpG9VRRehT — Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) June 22, 2026 And it does help. After the game in Boston, Norwegian youngster Andreas Schjelderup told Pro Soccer Talk as much. The Benfica winger smiled wide when asked about Norway's supporters. "Of course, they've done an amazing job throughout the whole tournament. It gives us a lot of motivation and extra energy to keep going," Schjelderup explained. "Even though today the result wasn't as good as you hoped, they were still supporting us. We just got to thank them. Keep pushing us and we will do our best to hopefully proceed." BOSTON, UNITED STATES - JUNE 26: (L-R) Dayot Upamecano of France, Andreas Schjelderup of Norway during the World Cup match between Norway v France at the Boston Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Boston United States (Photo by Marcel Bonte/Soccrates/Getty Images) Getty Images And Eide is feeling very confident about Norway's chances of proceeding at this World Cup. "We are very much hyped and it is very much a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so we are very much looking forward to it," Eide said. "It is a new generation and we are super excited to see how far they've come and what they are able to achieve. Super pumped for it." How far do Norway's fans really think they can go at this tournament? Morten Drivdal, from Olso, is delighted Norway is at the World Cup and even though he wasn't high on their chances he believes the quarterfinals is doable. "Of course it has been a lot of fun but let's see how long it goes," a pragmatic Drivdal said. "I don't think we will make it that far. Maybe the quarterfinals? Who knows? We haven't been here for 28 years, so it has been a while. I was 11 when we were at the World Cup last time, so it is good to be here." FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 26: Fans of Norway during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Norway and France at Boston Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) Getty Images Just like Scotland at this tournament, Norway's fans had to wait 28 years to reach the World Cup again. Norway are of course happy to just be here, but their expectations are a bit higher. They finished above Italy in World Cup qualifying, after all, and this defeat to France was their first competitive loss in almost two years. And because they have Haaland and Odegaard, Antonio Nusa, Alexander Sorloth and Oscar Bobb and Sande Berge and genuine squad depth. "I think we can surprise, right?" Eide said. "At the same time we need to respect there are a lot of good nations here and after 28 years [not being at the World Cup] we don't have the experience in these big tournaments. Even though Haaland and the guys are experienced in the Champions League and these kind of things. Still, fingers crossed right, I think we can go far if we are focused on it." FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 26: Norway fans cheer in the stands during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Norway and France at Boston Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steph Chambers - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) FIFA via Getty Images Outside of Norway everyone is focused on them being the surprise-package of this tournament. Their fans know it, and embrace it. But there is no pressure. Whatever happens happens. They'll be rowing no matter what. "Since we haven't been in the World Cup for so long it is hard to tell. I hope we will win but I'm not sure. We take each game as it comes and I hope we win the whole thing, but we will see. Everything is a bonus," Hanne Kristine Austenaa smiled. #Norway fan Hanne Kristine Austenaa from Oslo is loving their journey at the #WorldCup + discusses the Viking Row and how far they can go at this tournament as excitement around them builds ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/MUZ4KC9D9Z — Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) June 26, 2026