FIFA World Cup: Viral Norway 'Viking row' chant makes its way to North Texas

DALLAS - With Erling Haaland and Norway coming to North Texas for a knockout stage match against Ivory Coast, expect to see plenty of fans doing the viral ‘Viking row’ chant that has defined the country's tournament run.

Norway ‘Viking row’ chant

Making their first World Cup appearance since 1998, Norway finished the group stage 2-0-1 to advance to the knockout round for only the second time ever.

Expect to see plenty of fans doing the team's viral ‘Viking row’ chant both in the stadium and around North Texas during the Norwegians' stay in the metroplex.

The chant consists of two hits on a drum, followed by a rowing motion and a cry of "row!"

Fans at World Cup matches, nurses, toddlers, and even the Norwegian parliament have been seen doing the chant during Norway's current run in the tournament.

Dallas Police and DFW Airport police officers were seen doing the viral chant during Norway's arrival on Sunday.

Norway star Erling Haaland and the rest of the team have participated in the chant following matches.

Norway superfan discusses viral chant

Ole Froystad, better known as Mr. Row Row, is a Norway soccer superfan who claims to have originated the row chant.

He tells FOX 4's Steven Dial that he couldn't have dreamed that the chant would become the viral hit that it has.

"Oh yes, I am shocked. Everybody is doing it," Froystad said. 

"Just seeing everybody doing it, many nations doing it together, it has gotten a lot more meaning than I thought," Froystad continued. "It's warming my heart to see that, to see everything that's happening."

Froystad promised plenty of rowing will happen at Dallas Stadium for tomorrow's match.

"Oh, we're gonna row," Froystad said with a smile. "I'm hoping that the roof you guys have there, that it will help keep some of the sound and pressure inside the pressure cooker there so that it's going to be more massive."

‘Viking row’ in Downtown Dallas

Local perspective:

The night before Norway's match at Dallas Stadium, fans gathered at Happiest Hour in Downtown Dallas to rally for their country.

Fans filled the bar and did plenty of renditions of the ‘Viking row’.

One new wrinkle? A Viking version of "Sweet Caroline", complete with fans doing the row as part of the chorus.

Halvor Berg, who leads chants and songs during Norway games, called the virality of the ‘Viking row’ "the proper, true, American experience."

"We've done well, and I think we're really like vibing with the Americans and also the other fans, like the Scottish," Berg tells FOX 4's Amelia Jones.

"'We have a lot of noise, we sing a lot of songs, I feel like the whole population of Norway is just now gathering in Dallas and the US too, to see these events."

Rune Vaktskiold tells Jones he canceled his flight back home to attend tomorrow's match.

"It's once in a lifetime…"

The rally drew North Texas residents curious about Norway's spirit. Elle-Marie Defrain played college soccer at the University of North Texas, and says she took her mom to Happiest Hour to see what the Norwegians were all about.

"They've been so nice, they're so friendly. They're teaching me some Norwegian," Defrain said. "I actually have my hair in a bun for Haaland, I'm full support, I think he's my favorite player right now."

What's next:

Norway and Ivory Coast play on Tuesday, June 30 at 12 p.m. CT at Dallas Stadium. Mr. Row Row himself is confident Norway will come away with a win.

"I believe we can do it," Froystad said. "We're going to play Brazil in the next game and that's going to be big."

FIFA World Cup