FIFA World Cup 2026: Norway turns heartbreak into celebration as huge crowds pack capital
Over 100,000 fans gathered in Oslo to celebrate the Norwegian national football team following their quarter-final exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite a narrow defeat to England, the homecoming parade served as a massive national tribute to the squad's historic tournament performance.
Why it matters
The event highlights the significant cultural impact of international sports on national morale and the growing prominence of Norway's football program on the global stage.
More than 100,000 fans flooded the streets of the Norwegian capital Oslo on Monday (July 13, 2026) to give their football team a heroes' welcome, turning the heartbreak of their FIFA World Cup 2026 exit into a massive national celebration.
A 2-1 extra-time defeat by England on Saturday (July 11, 2026) brought Norway's historic run to an end in the quarter-finals, shattering the Nordics' dreams of a place in the last four. However, it did not stop the country celebrating their heroes.
Massive crowds under the Norwegian summer sun filled the grounds of the Royal Palace early on Monday (July 13, 2026) 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.
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