A sea of red and blue swarmed Times Square this weekend as Norway’s World Cup supporters transformed the heart of Manhattan into a moving stadium, their chants echoing off skyscrapers and their presence turning sidewalks into a celebration ground.
Viking Celebrations Light Up Manhattan
Fans gathered around the iconic escalators, forming human rowing crews that pushed themselves upward while chanting the team’s anthem, while others stormed the entrances of subway stations in a display that blended sport with theatrical flair.
On the pitch, Norway opened its campaign with a convincing 4‑1 victory over Iraq, a result that marked the team’s first win in a World Cup match in nearly three decades. Star striker Erling Haaland was the decisive factor, netting two goals and drawing headlines worldwide.
The momentum carried forward as the squad prepared to meet Senegal in the next group encounter, a fixture that will test their tactical adjustments before a showdown with France, the current leaders of Group I.
Even Norway’s legislators joined the revelry, pausing a parliamentary session in Oslo to perform a synchronized “Viking Row” chant, underscoring how the team’s triumph has resonated beyond the stadium.
Off the field, Haaland was spotted strolling through lower Manhattan with his girlfriend, stopping at the historic Katz’s Deli for a bite of pastrami, offering a rare glimpse of the player’s personal side amid the citywide fanfare.