Thanks to Erling Haaland and Norway's remarkable Fifa World Cup run, "Viking fever" has become one of the tournament's biggest travel trends.
Image: Facebook/Erling Haaland
If there is one country that has surprised football fans at the 2026 Fifa World Cup, it is Norway. Led by star striker Erling Haaland, the Scandinavian nation has gone from tournament outsiders to one of the biggest stories in world football.
Their exciting performances have not only earned them a place in the quarter finals but have also sparked fresh interest in Norway as a travel destination.
For many fans, Norway's World Cup run has become about more than just football. It has introduced millions of people to the country's culture, traditions and breathtaking scenery, making it one of the most talked-about destinations of the tournament.
Norway arrived at the World Cup with little expectation after failing to qualify for the tournament since 1998. In fact, Haaland was not even born the last time his country appeared on football's biggest stage.
Everything changed this year.
The 25-year-old Manchester City forward inspired Norway to a famous 2-1 victory over five-time champions Brazil, sending his country into its first-ever Fifa World Cup quarter-final and ending nearly three decades of waiting.
Alongside captain Martin Ødegaard and exciting young talent Antonio Nusa, Haaland has helped transform Norway into the tournament's favourite team for many neutral supporters.
One of the biggest attractions has been Norway's post-match celebration.
Known as the “Viking Row", the celebration sees Haaland beating a large bass drum while players and thousands of supporters perform a rowing motion together as if they are travelling across the sea in a Viking ship.
The celebration has become one of the defining images of the World Cup. Videos have spread across social media with fans around the world recreating the rowing routine at football matches, train stations, shopping centres and schools.
It is the kind of tradition that makes people want to experience the atmosphere themselves.
The country's success has also sparked curiosity about Norway itself.
Images of dramatic fjords, colourful waterfronts and celebrations in Oslo have introduced a global audience to destinations that many had never considered visiting.
Fans have watched thousands gather outside the Royal Palace in Oslo to celebrate the national team, creating an atmosphere that rivals some of football's biggest cities.
The World Cup has given Norway a new identity. Instead of simply being known for its natural beauty, it is now being recognised as a country where football, culture and community come together.
For anyone inspired by Norway's World Cup journey, there is plenty to explore beyond the football pitch.
Visitors can wander through Oslo's vibrant streets before heading to the famous fjords, where towering cliffs and calm waters create some of Europe's most spectacular landscapes.
History lovers can dive into the country's Viking heritage through museums, reconstructed ships and historic sites that tell the story of Norway's seafaring past.