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The invitation had been extended even before the players left American soil. Crown Prince Haakon<\/a>, who was at the quarterfinal match, visited the dressing room after their loss to address the squad directly, wearing the national team scarf over his suit.<\/p>\n Norway fans outside of the Royal Palace on Monday after the team\u2019s return.JAVAD PARSA – Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you get home, the King would like to invite you to the Castle,\u201d he told the players in a moving talk, which was shared in a video to the royal family\u2019s Instagram page<\/a>. \u201cBefore your ending ceremony and your welcome back, which will be hosted somewhere else in the city… But as I said: You are allowed to be disappointed, but the rest of us are just incredibly grateful, really proud of you. And we think you have given us an absolutely priceless effort.\u201d<\/p>\n Thousands of Norwegian fans reportedly crowded the streets of Oslo late into Saturday night, despite rainy weather, while watching the game together on big screens installed around City Hall. This was Norway\u2019s first time back at the World Cup since 1998. \u201cIt has been an \u2060amazing journey. The Viking row has gone around the world and we have done everything and more than we could dream of,\u201d one fan told Reuters<\/a> after the match was over.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Norwegian royal family had been vocal fans throughout the tournament. Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit\u2019s children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus<\/a>, attended two matches<\/a> earlier in the competition. After Norway\u2019s upset victory over Brazil in the Round of 16<\/a> on July 5, even the Crown Prince joined the celebrations<\/a> on the streets of Oslo and took part in the team\u2019s now-famous \u201cViking Row\u201d chant<\/a>.<\/p>\n Prince Haakon at the quarterfinals.Eva Marie Uzcategui – FIFA – Getty Images<\/p>\n The chant became one of the defining images of the 2026 World Cup. Fans not just of Norway but from all over the world have been seen crouching down and miming the row in unison while chanting \u201cRo! Ro! Ro!\u201d\u2014a nod to Norway’s Viking heritage. Footage of it has spread rapidly across social media, appearing in New York\u2019s Times Square<\/a>, random escalators in Boston<\/a>, and even on the steps of Buckingham Palace<\/a> ahead of the Norway-England game. The chant and the team\u2019s star, Haaland, became so popular that Google developed an Easter egg<\/a> before the quarterfinal that triggered an animation of Nordic Vikings rowing when anyone typed \u201cErling Haaland\u201d into the search bar.<\/p>\n The 25-year-old striker, especially, became one of the tournament\u2019s breakout stars, generating headlines like \u201cWhy America has fallen for Erling Haaland, football\u2019s most likeable superstar\u201d from The Athletic<\/a> and \u201cIf you ask Americans, Norway\u2019s Erling Haaland is already a winner,\u201d from the BBC<\/a>. His Instagram following has grown from 40.7 million before the tournament to 65.9 million by the time Norway flew home<\/a>. In this case, it appears the affection is mutual.<\/p>\n Haaland arriving home to Norway with a stuffed raccoon.JAN LANGHAUG – Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cI like the Americans. I think they are kind of hilarious as well. They are funny. So I like the way they are,\u201d he told reporters ahead of the quarterfinals<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s been, honestly, on every single thing with the World Cup here so far has been amazing. From the games, to the stadiums to training grounds to everything has been amazing. It\u2019s been impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n You Might Also Like<\/p>\n![\"NORWAY-FBL-WC-2026\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/b5dc56c46ae30f51b92b71573e78cb8a.jpeg\"\/)
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