‘Search my name…’: Erling Haaland’s cheeky post as Google joins Norway’s ‘Viking Row’ viral craze

Norwegian Erling Haaland (9) leads a team that takes part in the viking boat rowing celebrations. (AP photo) Norway’s remarkable World Cup has now gone beyond football and into the digital world, Google has joined the viral frenzy of ‘Viking Row’ celebrations 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 took to the X with a simple but interesting message.“One thing I have to do today… google my name,” Haaland wrote.Fans who followed his advice were greeted with a hidden Google animation celebrating Norway’s now-iconic “Viking Row” tradition, which has become one of the defining images of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Google subscribes to the Viking Row trend

Searching for Haaland’s name will trigger a party-popper icon on the Google search page. Click it to launch animated Viking-themed characters in horned helmets and Norwegian flags, rowing in unison while the unmistakable beat of drums and booming crowd chants of “Ro!” echo through animation.Repeated clicks produce more animated supporters and recreate the synchronized celebration that took stadiums and social media by storm during Norway’s fairytale campaign.“Viking Row” sees thousands of fans mimic rowing a Viking boat after victories, with Haaland, captain Martin Ødegaard and the rest of the Norwegian team 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 off the pitch.Earlier this week, the Manchester City forward surprised his fans by reviving his long-forgotten rap career, releasing a remix of his viral 2016 song “Kygo jo” alongside Norwegian DJ Kygo.Before becoming one of world football’s deadliest strikers, Haaland briefly formed the rap trio Flow Kingz with youth teammates Erik Bothheim and Erik Tobias Sandberg while playing for Bryne in Norway.The original track saw 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.Haaland shared the remix on Instagram, joking: “Made it moment! Thanks @kygomusic. Does this mean I’m officially an artist now?”

England next in Norway’s fairytale run

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 equals the most goals scored by a player on his World Cup debut since 1974 when Poland’s Grzegorz Lato scored seven.Norway’s stunning victory over five-time champions Brazil secured the nation’s first-ever World Cup quarter-final, where they will face England in Miami.As anticipation builds for the blockbuster clash, Haaland has ensured Norway dominates the headlines on and off the pitch.