The Norwegian national team was welcomed with huge excitement upon returning to the capital Oslo after reaching the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, their best-ever finish.
Police operations chief Lars Kostveit told the Norwegian news agency NTB that around 90,000 people gathered on the capital's streets on Monday evening to greet the players.
Norway bowed out of the tournament on Saturday after a 2-1 extra-time loss to England, but reaching the quarterfinals in their fourth World Cup appearance was a historic milestone.
Viking "Ro" Chant Echoes Through Oslo
Fans filling the Royal Palace Square waited for the players' arrival before joining the famous Viking "ro" (rowing) chant. The tradition involves making a rowing motion with the hands while chanting "ro" in unison, and has become a symbol of the bond between the team and its supporters.
Crown Prince Haakon also led the chants by playing a drum during the celebrations.
Norway captain Martin Ødegaard told state broadcaster NRK: "It's incredible to see this much support and feel the whole country behind us. There's so much joy, smiles and humour. It's truly wonderful."
Haaland Attends Royal Reception, Misses Public Celebration
Star player Erling Haaland, who had earlier been received by King Harald, was unable to attend the public celebration at Palace Square. According to NRK, Haaland left the celebrations early because he had to catch a flight.
The plane carrying the Norwegian delegation landed in Oslo just after 7 p.m. following a long delay. The players boarded a bus that took them directly to the Royal Palace, while many fans along the route waved flags and wore national team jerseys to greet the team.