Norway received a hero’s welcome from more than 100,000 fans in Oslo on Monday after England ended its FIFA World Cup 2026 run with a 2-1 extra-time quarter-final win.
The Norway World Cup homecoming began after the squad arrived from the United States and received a water-cannon salute. The team then travelled to the Royal Palace for an audience with King Harald V.
Supporters filled Palace Square and Karl Johans gate during the Monday afternoon celebration, held three hours behind Pakistan Standard Time. Local reporting placed attendance above 90,000, with up to 157,000 people recorded in the wider central Oslo area.
Crown Prince Haakon played the drums as the players performed their “Viking Row” celebration on the palace steps. The Royal Court had officially scheduled a reception for the national team following its tournament campaign.
The national team is parading through Oslo in an open-top bus from the Royal Palace to City Hall, as people line the streets to celebrate Norway’s historic World Cup achievement. pic.twitter.com/aAXJn7Z6vk
— Joakim 🌹🇳🇴🇪🇺 (@joakial_) July 13, 2026Striker Erling Haaland and midfielder Sander Berge missed the final palace celebration because the squad’s flight from Miami arrived four hours late. Head coach Ståle Solbakken said both players had onward flights to catch.
The remaining players continued through central Oslo on an open-top bus. Dense crowds repeatedly slowed the 1.3-kilometre route to City Hall Square, while overhead cables briefly forced players on the upper deck to sit down.
Captain Martin Ødegaard told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that the support in the United States and Norway had gone “beyond all expectations.”
Read: Bellingham Equaliser Cleared as England Beat Norway 2-1
Norway had led England through Andreas Schjelderup before Jude Bellingham scored twice, including the extra-time winner at Miami Stadium on July 11. The result sent England into the semi-finals and ended Norway’s first World Cup appearance since 1998.
