Lead

As Norway's football team makes its deepest World Cup run in decades, a fan with shoulder-length blond hair and Viking horns has emerged as the unlikely architect of the tournament's most distinctive supporter ritual. Ole Frøystad, nicknamed "Mr Row Row," is credited with inventing the Viking row, a synchronised chant that has swept from stadiums in the US to subway carriages in Oslo.

The chant, which involves sitting down as if in a Viking vessel and pulling an imaginary oar while shouting "ro" (Norwegian for "row"), has become a viral phenomenon of the 2026 World Cup. It has been performed by fans in Times Square, by Norwegian MPs in parliament, and even by Prince Sverre Magnus in an Oslo subway carriage. The players themselves have led the row at the end of their victories, with star striker Erling Haaland calling it "bigger than football."

Coverage Comparison

Two outlets have covered the story from markedly different angles. ABC Australia focuses on Frøystad as a human-interest figure, portraying him as a fervent fan from a tiny mountain island who wanted to help his team perform on the pitch. The report draws heavily on Frøystad's own words, including his explanation that the idea came from watching Norwegian club Rosenborg's supporters divide the team's name into three parts, with one section yelling "ro." The tone is positive and uplifting, celebrating the passion and creativity of Norwegian fans.

The Guardian's coverage takes a broader cultural view, emphasising the chant's status as a viral phenomenon while also giving space to criticism. The report notes that the Viking row was consciously devised and massively promoted online, in contrast to most football chants whose origins are often lost. It also raises questions about the use of Norse imagery and the historical accuracy of Norwegians imitating Swedish Vikings. This critical edge sits alongside descriptions of the chant as "laddish" and "toxic" in some contexts.

Both outlets agree on the core facts: Frøystad invented the chant, it draws on Norwegian medieval history, and it has been performed in diverse locations including Times Square and Boston train escalators. However, The Guardian adds dimensions of debate that ABC Australia does not address, particularly around the chant's cultural and historical implications.

Key Claims

  • Ole Frøystad invented the Viking row chant, which involves sitting down and pulling an imaginary oar while shouting "ro" — as reported by both ABC Australia and The Guardian.
  • The concept is inspired by Norwegian medieval history — a point carried by both outlets.
  • Norway fans have performed the chant in various locations, including Times Square and Boston train escalators — corroborated by both sources.
  • The players have led the row at the end of their victories, with Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard participating prominently — reported by The Guardian.
  • Norwegian MPs and Prince Sverre Magnus have participated in the chant — a claim carried by The Guardian.
  • The use of Norse imagery in the chant has been criticised for its association with far-right groups — a claim reported by The Guardian.
  • The chant is historically inaccurate because eastern Vikings, mainly from modern-day Sweden, were the famous rowers, while western Vikings from Norway were renowned transatlantic sailors — a claim made by The Guardian.
  • The chant has been defended by Norwegian MPs as a celebration of Norwegian culture, not an association with far-right groups — also reported by The Guardian.

Perspectives

Ole Frøystad: The chant's creator sees it as a way to support the team, saying, "I wanted to do something to help them perform on the pitch." He traces the idea to watching Rosenborg fans and the power of the "ro" sound.

Critics (historians and commentators): Some argue the Norse imagery is problematic given its co-option by far-right groups, and that the chant misrepresents history — Norwegian Vikings were not the famous rowers; Swedish Vikings were.

Norwegian MPs and defenders: Politicians who have joined the chant insist it is an innocent celebration of Norwegian culture, pushing back against associations with extremism.