Norway's viral rowing chant sweeps World Cup venues

Norwegian football fans have turned a synchronized rowing chant, dubbed the “Viking‑row”, into a viral phenomenon during the 2026 World Cup. Thousands of supporters gathered in U.S. locations such as Times Square and MetLife Stadium, rowing in unison after Norway’s 3‑2 win over Senegal, with players Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard joining the fans on the pitch. The chant has attracted wide media coverage, with outlets like Fox News reporting that the Norwegians “took over Manhattan.”

The trend has sparked reactions across Scandinavia. Swedish players described the display as “unimpressive,” while Norwegian TV humorously suggested that artist Alan Walker remix the chant. The phenomenon has become a cultural highlight of the tournament, illustrating how fan rituals can amplify a team’s on‑field success.