Get you up to speed: Haaland’s Norway receive heroes’ welcome in Oslo after World Cup exit
Norway’s football squad received a heroes’ welcome in Oslo following their FIFA World Cup exit, with over 100,000 fans celebrating despite a 2-1 defeat to England in the quarterfinals. The team participated in an open-top bus parade and attended a royal reception, although striker Erling Haaland departed early due to a delayed flight.
The Norwegian World Cup squad was greeted by a massive crowd exceeding 100,000 during their homecoming parade in Oslo, following their quarterfinal exit on 13 July 2026. Coach Stale Solbakken confirmed that Erling Haaland and Sander Berge had to leave early for a flight due to a four-hour delay in their trip from the US.
Norwegian fans welcomed their World Cup squad with an estimated 100,000 people in Oslo, transforming the disappointment of a quarterfinal exit into a jubilant celebration. Coach Stale Solbakken noted that Erling Haaland and Sander Berge left early for a flight due to a delay, but the team continued the festivities in an open bus parade following a royal audience.
What remains unclear — The reasons behind Erling Haaland’s early departure from the celebrations have not been disclosed.
Norway football team receives warm welcome in Oslo following World Cup exit
Sport|World Cup 2026Haaland’s Norway receive heroes’ welcome in Oslo after World Cup exit
A crowd of more than 100,000, an open-top bus parade and a royal reception welcomed back the Norwegian World Cup squad.
Published On 13 Jul 202613 Jul 2026
More than 100,000 fans flooded the streets of the Norwegian capital, Oslo, to give their football team a heroes’ welcome, turning the heartbreak of their FIFA World Cup exit into a huge national celebration.
A 2-1 extra-time defeat by England on Saturday brought Norway’s historic run to an end in the quarterfinals, shattering the Nordics’ dreams of a semifinal berth. However, it did not stop the country from celebrating its heroes.
Massive crowds under the Norwegian summer sun filled the grounds of the Royal Palace early on Monday afternoon, with an unofficial turnout estimated at more than 100,000 people.
The Norway squad touched down to a traditional water cannon salute before commencing their homecoming parade in the capital.
The line of supporters quickly packed the palace square before stretching far down the main street, Karl Johans gate, as the squad first attended an audience with King Harald.
The team then stepped out to greet the fans, with the Royal Guard standing at attention behind them.
Striker Erling Haaland was noticeably absent from the final stage of the celebrations, having left early.
His departure meant he missed joining his teammates on the palace steps for one last “Viking row” with the tens of thousands of fans gathered below, which was led by Crown Prince Haakon on the drums.
“Erling and Sander [Berge] had to catch their plane as our trip from the US was delayed four hours,” coach Stale Solbakken said, as the squad prepared to continue the celebrations in an open bus parade around Oslo.