Haaland and Team Welcome in Norway after World Cup Exit

On July 13, 2026, approximately 90,000 supporters welcomed back Norway's national football team at Slottsplassen in Oslo after their historic run to the World Cup quarter-finals. The team, led by Erling Haaland, was eliminated from the tournament following a 2-1 loss to England in extra time on Saturday. This marked their best performance in the competition.

As the players arrived, they performed the now famous "Viking Row" in front of the royal palace. Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway and heir apparent to the Norwegian throne, led the celebrations with a drum. The Crown Prince had also been present at the match in Miami where Norway faced defeat.

Captain Martin Odegaard expressed gratitude for the support, stating to public broadcaster NRK, "It’s simply incredible to see all the support we receive and to see how much the country is behind us. It’s really fantastic."

Earlier in the day, Haaland returned to Norway and was photographed on social media coming from the plane with a stuffed raccoon holding a glass bottle of alcohol. However, he did not attend the welcome event as he had a flight to catch. The Manchester City striker notably scored seven goals during the World Cup.