Erling Haaland led Norway to a historic milestone at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring both goals in a 2-1 victory over five-time champion Brazil on Sunday to secure the nation’s first-ever quarter-final appearance. The win sparked widespread celebrations across Norway, where tens of thousands of fans gathered to support the team and perform the now-iconic “Viking Row,” a rhythmic arm-pumping chant that has become symbolic of the country’s spirited run in the tournament.

In Oslo, as many as 50,000 people assembled at Rådhusplassen, the square outside the town hall, to watch the match on large screens, according to local officials. Crown Prince Haakon joined fans outside the royal palace, taking part in the mass Viking Row alongside supporters. In addition, fireworks illuminated Ullevaal Stadium—the home ground of Norway’s national team—where thousands of spectators followed the match from long communal tables, highlighting the nationwide fervor.

Coach Ståle Solbakken described the Viking Row as a unifying expression of shared pride. “The whole nation is rowing together,” he said, noting the celebrations extended from major cities to smaller communities throughout Norway, a country with just over 5.5 million inhabitants. The chant’s reach extended internationally, resonating with Norwegian fans in the United States, where it gained viral attention during a New York Mets baseball game at Times Square.

Norway’s advancement sets up a quarter-final clash with England on Saturday in Miami, presenting an opportunity to reach the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time. Captain Martin Ødegaard urged caution despite the momentum. “We have to keep the feet on the ground,” Ødegaard said. “We’ve shown that we can beat anyone and that we are really enjoying what we’re doing. We’re having fun, and in football everything is possible so just keep the foot on the floor, keep working hard and we’ll see what happens and just go with the flow.”

Norway’s presence at the 2026 World Cup marks its fourth appearance and first since 1998, having missed qualification for six consecutive tournaments prior. Haaland, 25, who was not yet born during the last appearance, acknowledged the weight of the country’s recent achievements. With seven goals so far, he is tied with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé as the tournament’s leading scorers, underscoring his impact.

The national team’s success comes amid a remarkable period for Norwegian soccer, exemplified by the achievements of Bodø/Glimt. The modest club, which plays in a stadium with an 8,000-seat capacity, has captured attention by qualifying for the UEFA Champions League and advancing to the knockout stages after defeating prominent European teams, including Haaland’s Manchester City.

Haaland expressed hope that Norway’s World Cup run will engender a lasting pride in representing the national team among young players. “I want to actually also cultivate a culture where we are proud to play for the national team, and if you play for Norway then you should do it proudly,” he said. “To all the kids who see and watch now, I want you to do like me, and I want you to play proudly when you grow up.”

As Norway seeks to build on its strong showing, the team aspires to follow in the footsteps of the country’s women’s side, which won the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1995 and remains a prominent force in international soccer.