Norway has been the sleeper hit team this World Cup, with videos of fans rowing in unison and chanting, “Row,” circulating online. But that is a new celebration that started only this year. It’s a nod to the country’s seafaring history, said Eirik Myking, 27, who traveled from Norway to see the game. On July 5, Norway faced off against Brazil, another favorite team, as Zohran Mamdani, Jalen Brunson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sofia Vergara, and Toby McGuire all watched on.

Many of the fans traveled from Brazil and Norway, respectively, and the fashion highlights included pairing jerseys with bubble miniskirts, styling scarfs or beach wraps as skirts around the waist, and a lot of Viking-inspired hats for the Norwegian fans.

“I got my scarf from a stadium in Norway that fills up just to watch the games, and the Viking helmet was given to me by Norwegian fans when I told them I was coming to the US,” said Eirik Myking. “The hat represents the Norwegian Vikings, which we are known for, but it’s not at all historically accurate. We didn’t have horns; I think this came from an Asterix & Obelix costume and we just stuck with it.”

“Watching Brazil is a part of my culture,” said Raiany, 32. “We watch our parents do it; we cry, we laugh, we scream, we celebrate. I wear this shirt even outside of games because I love my country.”

“I love both teams; my best friend is Norwegian so, of course, I had to get that jersey,” said Daniel, 23, who wears a Brazilian jersey underneath the Norwegian one. “My pants are Bode and the shoes are a Wu Tang Clan x Clarks Original Wallabee collaboration.”

Eline, 43, says her family traveled to the U.S from Oslo and has followed the Norwegian team to all of their games. She’s owned her scarf for as long as she can remember and wears it often. “The official jersey is sold out everywhere, so I’m just wearing red.” (From left: Jakob, 41, Frida, 11, Eline, 43, and Jonas, 9)

“It took me 2-3 hours to put on the rhinestones,” said Michele Marques, 36. “I personally don’t like wearing jerseys, especially with the huge belly, so I was looking for something very Brazilian. And I saw that pregnant ladies are wearing a lot of rhinestones for their maternity shots and that’s where I got the idea. It’s my first match in person, and this is the baby’s first World Cup.”

Marthe Lindqvist Kirk, 43, and Christine Brekke, 40, wear hats made by their friend’s stepmother. “It’s inspired by our bunad, our national costume, our Norwegian heritage, and the mountains,” said Kirk. Many Norwegian girls get their first bunad when they’re 15 years old, and it’s customary to have the embroidery done by a family member; the process can take up to a year.

Ana Carolinne Ribeiro, 36, and her partner traveled from Brazil to New Jersey. She made the top herself by cutting up a jersey and fitting it over the boning of a corset and sewing it on. Her first memories of wearing a Brazilian jersey was in 1998, when she was 4 years old, and Brazil lost the final to France.

“I have been a Brazil fan since Neymar played against Germany eight years ago,” said Michele, 25 (right). “I still remember that 1-7 goal tragedy; I was still in China and woke up at 4 a.m. to watch the game. I cried myself to sleep.” Michelle styled her jersey with a camo bubble skirt and Isabel Marrant sneakers. (At left, Jason, 23.)

Li, 65, is from New York and loves Erling Haaland, a player on the Norwegian team.

“I don’t mean to be dramatic but I wear Brazil jerseys every day,” said Daphne Silva, 28, who thrifted her whole outfit except for the jersey, which is Brazil’s latest 2026 edition. Dalva Flagg, 71, traveled from Las Vegas to watch the game with her niece. Everything Dalva’s wearing she bought in Brazil. 

“My grandparents got this when I was 16 or 17 and I begged them for a little crop top,” said Katarina Mello, 30, who got the jersey in Sao Paolo, where her mother is from. “I like the dichotomy of having something sporty with something that’s sexy, and not being all girly”.

‘My dad lived in Brazil for 25 years and it always felt like a little piece of me felt connected to Brazil,” said Maya, 26, who was wearing Tokyo Adidas sneakers, Mango pants, and an R9 jersey (Ronaldo’s number jersey). “He always shared stories about it and how much it meant to him and everytime I’ve gone there it feels like home, even though it’s not technically home.”

Maya does wear jerseys regularly as part of her wardrobe: “On a regular day, I love to layer. I’ll wear a cute button-down underneath to make it more chic and wear it to the office, or with a cute little skirt to elevate it, sometimes I’ll even wear it with some heels and nice jeans.”

“I just want to represent my Latinos, I’m Dominican and my team definitely did not qualify but we’re all here for Brazil,’’ said Katherine, 36. She doesn’t normally incorporate sportswear into her daily style, but she was excited to put her outfit together for the game. “I got ideas on Instagram and thought the silver Adidas would look really cute with the yellow and the skirt. I thrifted the skirt from Urban Jungle in Brooklyn.”