An estimated 90,000 fans packed the square outside Norway's Royal Palace in Oslo on 14 July to give the national football squad a thunderous homecoming after their historic run to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals — the best result the country has ever achieved at the tournament. The celebrations came despite a 2-1 extra-time defeat to England in Miami on Saturday.

A Nation Turns Out in Force

The welcome was nothing short of extraordinary. Players met King Harald at the palace before joining fans in the now-iconic 'Viking Row' celebration — the synchronised rowing chant that became the defining symbol of Norway's tournament run. According to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, the royals themselves joined in the rowing alongside the estimated 88,000 attendees present at that stage of the evening.

The festivities did not stop at the palace. An almost two-hour bus parade wound down Karl Johans gate, Oslo's central boulevard, before the squad stopped for another round of the Viking Row at Rådhusplassen. The celebrations stretched well into the late night hours.

What the Players Said

Martin Ødegaard, Norway's captain, was visibly moved by the reception. 'I don't think anyone could have imagined this. The support we've received has been beyond all expectations, both in the US and here at home in Norway. It's been absolutely incredible to see,' he said.

Head coach Ståle Solbakken echoed the sentiment. 'The King prepared us for what was coming. We were a little surprised too, that it was so huge. Otherwise, there were some healthy football discussions,' he said.

Haaland and Berge Miss the Parade

Norway's top scorer Erling Haaland and midfielder Sander Berge were unable to join the public celebrations, as prior travel commitments meant they had to leave early. Solbakken clarified, however, that both players had met the king privately before departing. 'They both stopped by and talked to the king, but we were four or five hours late. They had to move on to catch the plane, but they have been inside the Palace and had their conversation with King Harald. They have followed the plan all the way until they had to leave,' Solbakken was quoted as saying by NRK.

Historic Significance of Norway's Run

Reaching the quarter-finals marks the furthest Norway has ever progressed at a FIFA World Cup. The achievement is particularly notable given the relatively modest footballing infrastructure of a nation with a population of around five million. This is the third major tournament in which the Viking Row celebration has featured, having first gone viral during Norway's run at an earlier competition. The Oslo homecoming scenes drew comparisons to Iceland's famous Euro 2016 reception, widely regarded as one of European football's most memorable homecomings.

What Comes Next

Norway's squad will now return to their respective clubs, with the international break concluding. Attention will quickly turn to FIFA World Cup qualification cycles and whether Solbakken can build on this momentum. For a football-mad nation that has waited decades for a moment like this, Tuesday's scenes in Oslo suggest the appetite for more has never been stronger.