The Norwegian national team's run in the 2026 World Cup may have stopped in the quarterfinal round. Nevertheless, the return of Stale Solbakken's squad to their homeland was welcomed with an extraordinary celebration fit for defending champions. More than 100,000 supporters crowded the streets of the capital city of Oslo to pay tribute to the historic achievement of the squad nicknamed "Løvene" on Tuesday (14/7/2026).
Norway's dream of advancing to the semifinals was dashed after suffering a narrow 1-2 defeat to England in dramatic extra time. Despite the bitter defeat on the pitch, the enthusiasm of the Norwegian public did not fade at all. The return of their sporting heroes was still seen as a momentum of national pride worth celebrating.
The festive atmosphere was already felt since Monday afternoon, as the area around the Royal Palace of Oslo began to be packed by a sea of supporters under friendly summer weather. Upon arrival at the airport, the plane carrying the national team was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute. The team then held a victory parade through the city center before attending a special audience with King Harald.
The climax of the welcoming party occurred when the players met the crowd gathered in the palace courtyard. The atmosphere grew even more electric when the Norwegian squad, along with hundreds of thousands of supporters, performed the iconic "Viking row" action. This emotional moment was led directly by Crown Prince Haakon, who beat a drum in front of the players and supporters, emphasizing the close unity between the national team and its people.
