Norway Celebrates FIFA World Cup 2026 Journey with Grand Homecoming Parade

A Joyous Welcome for Norway's Football Team

Norway's remarkable journey in the FIFA World Cup 2026 may have concluded with a quarter-final loss, but the team's return to Oslo sparked a nationwide celebration on Monday, with over 100,000 fans gathering to honor their heroes.

Despite being eliminated after a 2-1 extra-time defeat to England, the Norwegian squad received a warm reception from supporters. The team's official account shared a heartfelt message: 'Wow! Tusen takk, Norge ❤️'.

Royal Reception and Parade Through Oslo

Upon their arrival in Oslo, the players were greeted with a traditional water cannon salute, followed by a parade through the city. Fans lined the streets, especially around the Royal Palace and Karl Johans gate, to catch a glimpse of the team.

The players first met with King Harald before addressing the crowd from the palace steps. The festivities included a traditional 'Viking row', led by Crown Prince Haakon on the drums. Notably, star striker Erling Haaland was absent, having left early for a flight.

Team's Gratitude and Player Absences

The national team shared a video of the celebrations on their official X account, accompanied by the Norwegian saying, 'Borte bra, hjemme best' (Away is good, home is best), reflecting the pride of a nation that celebrated its team's achievements.

Head coach Stale Solbakken explained Haaland and midfielder Sander Berge's absence, stating, 'Erling and Sander had to catch their plane as our trip from the U.S. was delayed four hours.' Captain Martin Odegaard expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support, stating, 'I don't think anyone had imagined this.'

Challenges During the Parade

The open-top bus parade faced unexpected delays due to the massive crowds, which slowed its progress. At one point, the bus had to reverse while police cleared a path.

The celebration was briefly halted by low-hanging cables, requiring players on the top deck to sit down. This incident humorously echoed the team's quarter-final loss, as Solbakken had previously mentioned a camera cable interference during the match against England, a claim FIFA has denied.

A Memorable Celebration

Despite the challenges, the parade successfully reached City Hall Square, where tens of thousands of fans had gathered to celebrate Norway's historic World Cup campaign.