Norwegian World Cup fans take over NYC subways and Times Square with Viking Row chant

Hundreds of Norwegian soccer fans have turned Manhattan into a Nordic outpost, performing their signature “Viking Row” chant across Times Square, subway cars, and waterways in the days leading up to Norway’s FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Senegal on June 22.

A 28-year wait meets a 48-team tournament

Norway hasn’t played in a World Cup since 1998. That’s a generation of fans who have never seen their national team on the sport’s biggest stage.

The 2026 edition is the first to feature an expanded 48-team format, hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico. That expansion is precisely what opened the door for Norway’s return, and their fans have responded with the kind of energy that makes viral content feel inevitable.

On June 20 and 21, supporters flooded some of New York’s most recognizable locations. The Viking Row, a choreographed chant where fans simulate rowing a longship in unison, turned Times Square into something resembling a Norse festival rather than a tourist trap.

Where crypto isn’t

In an era where fan tokens, blockchain sponsorships, and crypto partnerships have become near-standard equipment for major football organizations, Norway’s national team has none of it. No fan token. No blockchain partnership. No crypto sponsor adorning their kit or social media channels.

A report from CryptoBriefing noted this absence of cryptocurrency involvement raises questions about missed opportunities in a climate where many football events leverage digital assets for engagement.

There is a generic “FIFA World Cup Fans” token floating around the market, but it has zero connection to the Norwegian national team or its supporters.

Norway’s absence from this landscape isn’t accidental. The Nordic region has generally taken a more cautious regulatory posture toward digital assets, with Scandinavian countries emphasizing consumer protection and environmental concerns around blockchain technology. Sweden’s Riksbank has been openly skeptical of private crypto while developing its own CBDC pilot. Norway’s central bank has explored similar territory.

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