More than 100,000 spectators, a parade of open-top buses and a royal reception welcomed the return of the Norwegian World Cup team.
Published July 13, 2026
More than 100,000 fans flooded the streets of Norway’s capital Oslo, hailing the soccer team as heroes and turning the heartbreak of their FIFA World Cup exit into a massive national celebration.
Norway’s historic run came to an end in the quarter-finals as they lost 2-1 to England in extra time on Saturday, dashing their dreams of reaching the semi-finals. But that didn’t stop the country from honoring its heroes.
A huge crowd filled the grounds of the Royal Palace early Monday afternoon under the Norwegian summer sun, with unofficial attendance estimated at more than 100,000 people.
The Norwegian team performed the traditional water cannon salute before starting their homecoming parade in the capital.
Lines of supporters quickly filled the palace square and then stretched all the way to Karl Johans Gate on the main street, where the team had their first audience with King Harald.
The team then came out to greet the fans, with the Royal Guard standing at attention behind them.
Striker Erling Haaland was conspicuously absent from the final stages of the celebrations, having been sent off early.
His departure meant he missed joining his teammates on the palace steps for the final “Viking column” with tens of thousands of fans gathered below, led by drummer Crown Prince Haakon.
“Erling and Sander (Berge) had to get on the plane because their departure from the United States was delayed by four hours,” said coach Starre Solbakken, as the team prepared to continue the celebrations with a public bus parade around Oslo.
