Norway Fans Take Over Times Square, Hearts, Minds

The Viking Army is the latest fandom to go viral with their "ro" chant.

By Josh Jackson  |  June 23, 2026 | 11:34am
Screenshot via X SplinterSports Norway
Norway Fans Take Over Times Square, Hearts, Minds

Thanks to the idiotic polices of worst president in modern American history, international tourism to the U.S. has cratered. After a 5% drop in 2025, this year has seen another 14% year-over-year dip, costing American businesses billions of dollars. Thankfully, the World Cup has served as a great reminder that tourists don’t just spend money, but they can spread a little joy as well, and remind us that there are still some things to love about our nation as we prepare to celebrate 250 years.

From Freddie’s explorations of the American South, to Japan fans eating Texas barbecue, to Europeans discovering Bucky’s, to the Tartan Army drinking Boston dry, to England fans at a Texas Rodeo, all our social feeds have been taken over by visitors from the 48 nations competing at this years tournament in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. And while the administration is more concerned by arresting tourists at the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., the host cities have been more welcoming.

First there’s just the numbers. See Brazil take over Times Square before their opening match. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Or the Netherlands’ Orange Army.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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But it’s Norway fans, at their first World Cup in 28 years, who’ve made the latest splash, performing their iconic rowing celebration at stadiums and in Times Square.

Led by their inhuman striker Erling Braut Haaland, who has four goals in his first two World Cup matches, the team is off to a great start and poised for one of the best matches in the group stage when they play France on Friday for the top spot in Group I. Since leaving their shores after the best soccer photo shoot in history, they first beat Iraq 4-1, then held off Senegal 3-2 last night. Here was Martin Ødegaard leading the team’s “ro” rowing chant.

Each fanbase brings its culture to our melting pot, and some of the smallest nations have shown the most heart, from Cape Verde to The Congo. Neither FIFA nor Trump and his ridiculous peace prize can ruin this World Cup thanks to the players on the field and the fans in our cities.

 
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