Haaland, Norway greeted by tens of thousands in Oslo homecoming
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- Norway's national team reached the men's World Cup quarterfinals for the first time ever, beating five-time champions Brazil in the round of 16 before being knocked out by England.
- Erling Haaland scored seven goals across Norway's first World Cup campaign in 28 years, with the source noting his global fame reached new heights.
- Tens of thousands of ecstatic supporters packed central Oslo for the welcome on Monday, with Norwegian military jets escorting the team's plane to a royal reception.
- Haaland drew laughs as he walked off the plane carrying what appeared to be a taxidermied raccoon holding an empty bottle, per footage on the team's Instagram.
- Crown Prince Haakon led the traditional "Viking Row," banging a drum the same way captain Martin Ødegaard and Haaland had after their World Cup victories.
- Jude Bellingham's extra-time goal in Miami sent England through at Norway's expense and set up a semifinal against Argentina on Wednesday.
Why it matters: Norway's first-ever men's World Cup quarterfinal appearance — a country that had not featured in 28 years — elevates a program around the planet's most talked-about striker, with Haaland's seven-goal tournament burnishing a profile that already commands global attention. The royal and military reception signals how seriously Norway treats this breakthrough, even after the England loss.
