Norway is amazing FIFA World Cup The run has reached beyond football and into the digital world, with Google joining the viral ‘Viking Row’ celebration wish as superstar Erling Haaland encouraged fans to search for his name online in a cheeky social media post.Ahead of Norway’s historic quarter-final against England, Haaland hit the X with a simple but compelling message.“One thing to do today … look up my name on Google,” Haaland wrote.Fans who followed his advice were greeted with a hidden Google animation celebrating Norway’s tradition of today’s ‘Viking Row’ which has become one of the defining images of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Google embraces the Viking Row trend
A search of Haaland’s name activates a party-popper icon on the Google search page. Clicking it releases animated Viking-themed characters wearing horned helmets and Norwegian flags, rowing in unison while the unmistakable drumbeat and the crowd’s loud chants of “Ro!” echo through animation.Repeated clicks produced dozens of animated supporters, recreating the synchronized celebration that swept stadiums and social media during Norway’s fairytale campaign.‘Viking Row’ saw thousands of supporters mimic rowing a Viking longboat after victories, with Haaland, captain Martin Ødegaard and the rest of the Norwegian squad regularly joining fans in the post-match ritual.The celebration quickly became one of the tournament’s best-known traditions, prompting Google to immortalize it with its own interactive Easter egg.
Haaland’s World Cup goes beyond football
The Google tribute is the latest sign of Haaland’s growing influence beyond the pitch.Earlier this week, the Manchester City striker shocked supporters by reviving his long-forgotten rap career, releasing a remix of his viral 2016 song “Kygo jo” with Norwegian DJ Kygo.Before becoming one of the deadliest strikers in world football, Haaland briefly formed the rap trio Flow Kingz with youth teammates Erik Botheim and Erik Tobias Sandberg while playing for Bryne in Norway.The original track enjoyed a remarkable resurgence during Norway’s World Cup campaign, prompting Kygo to release a remix after Haaland’s brace inspired a stunning 2-1 Round-of-16 victory over Brazil.Sharing the remix on Instagram, Haaland joked. “Made it moment! Thanks, @kygomusic. Does this mean I’m officially an artist now?”
England are next in a fairytale run in Norway
Haaland was one of the stars of the tournament, scoring seven goals, just one behind Argentina captain Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot.His tally also equaled the most goals scored by a player on his World Cup debut since Poland’s Grzegorz Lato scored seven in 1974.Norway’s stunning victory over five-time champions Brazil secured the country’s first ever World Cup quarter-finals, where they will face England in Miami.As anticipation builds for the blockbuster clash, Haaland ensures Norway dominates the headlines on and off the pitch.