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Norwegian football fans stood out in New York City during the 2026 FIFA World Cup by staging a synchronized Viking-style rowing display in Times Square, one of the best-known public spaces in Manhattan.
The supporters gathered at the Red Glass Stairs, a popular set of steps overlooking the square, where they waved Norwegian flags and chanted "Hoo! Hoo!" while moving together like a Viking longship crew.
The display brought together football support and Nordic imagery, as fans acted out rowing movements associated with Viking longships, the seafaring vessels historically linked with Scandinavia.
The coordinated scene unfolded as Norwegian supporters continued to draw attention during the tournament, turning their gathering in Times Square into a visible show of backing for the national team.
Norway is playing in Group I with France, Senegal and Iraq. The team opened its World Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over Iraq, giving its supporters an early reason to celebrate.
The next test will come against Senegal on Monday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, a major venue just outside New York City.
For Norwegian fans, the Viking-style rowing display also carries a deeper cultural meaning. Norway is one of the countries most closely associated with the Viking Age, a period generally dated from 793 to 1066, when Scandinavian seafarers built up wide networks of travel, trade and exploration.
The age is often traced back to the raid on Lindisfarne Monastery in England in 793. For Norwegians, however, the Viking story is not only linked to raids, but also to shipbuilding, long-distance navigation and expansion across the North Atlantic, including Iceland, Greenland and Vinland, the Norse name connected with early voyages to North America.
Although the Viking Age is usually seen as ending after the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, its maritime spirit remains an important part of Norway's cultural identity.
In modern Norway, Viking heritage is kept alive through preserved ships such as Oseberg and Gokstad, living-history sites and festivals that draw visitors interested in Scandinavia's seafaring past.
The image of the Viking in Norway today is closely tied to endurance, freedom and survival in harsh natural conditions. That is why the rowing gesture in Times Square was more than a fan performance; it echoed a historical symbol that many Norwegians still recognize as part of their national story.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, began on June 11 and will run through July 19.
This edition brings together 48 national teams, expanding the tournament across North America and drawing fans from around the world to major cities and stadiums.
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