Over 100,000 supporters filled the streets of Oslo, Norway’s capital, transforming the sorrow of their World Cup exit into a grand national celebration. The team’s journey concluded with a heartbreaking 2-1 extra-time loss to England on Saturday, eliminating them in the quarter-finals and dashing hopes for a semi-final berth. Nonetheless, this setback did not deter the crowds from honoring their heroes.
On Monday afternoon, the Norway squad arrived to a traditional water cannon salute, marking the beginning of their homecoming parade. The enthusiastic supporters gathered at the Royal Palace early, quickly filling the square before extending down Karl Johans gate. The players first took part in a meeting with King Harald V.
“I have felt very proud, it has been amazing, I have been both at home and in Spain, and the atmosphere between the Norwegian people has been there all the time, so it has been unbelievable,” said Catherine Breiland, a devoted fan.
The team emerged to greet the enthusiastic crowd, with the Royal Guard standing at attention. Notably, striker Erling Haaland missed the final stage of the festivities, having departed early. This absence prevented him from joining his teammates for one last “Erling and Sander [Berge] had to catch their plane as our trip from the US was delayed four hours,” led by Crown Prince Haakon on the drum, before tens of thousands of fans.
“The run the Norwegian team has had this year has been way beyond anything I’ve ever expected. I feel everybody in Norway should just honour the national team, which has done such an amazing job during this whole cup,” explained Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken, as the squad geared up for an open-top bus celebration around Oslo. The bus was slowed by the massive crowds, at one point even needing to reverse as police struggled to clear a path. Despite the challenges, Norway’s players celebrated with drinks and waved to fans, continuing the revelry late into the night.
“I don’t think anyone had imagined this,”
remarked Nicolai Sivesind, who traveled to Oslo for the World Cup festivities.
In an ironic twist, the parade was briefly halted by low-hanging overhead cables. The players, who had been standing and waving flags from the top deck, had to sit down to avoid the obstruction before the double-decker could move forward. Earlier, Solbakken noted his suspicion that a camera cable had interfered just before Jude Bellingham scored England’s equalizer in the first half, a claim FIFA has denied.
After hours of celebration, the parade concluded its 1.3-kilometer journey at City Hall Square, where throngs of patient supporters eagerly awaited the team’s arrival. “The support we have received in the USA and here at home in Norway, has been beyond all expectations. It has been absolutely incredible to see.” said Norway captain Martin Ødegaard in an interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK. “The support we have received in the USA and here at home in Norway has been beyond all expectations. It has been absolutely incredible to see.”
