A Norwegian football fan has become an unlikely internet sensation after refusing to take part in his country’s viral Viking Row celebration, insisting the chant is both a copy of Iceland’s famous Thunderclap and historically wrong.
Emil Anners Lappen was surrounded by supporters enthusiastically performing the rowing routine ahead of Norway’s FIFA World Cup quarter-final against England, but he remained motionless as those around him mimicked rowing a Viking longship.
The image quickly spread across social media, turning Lappen into one of the tournament’s most recognisable supporters despite his refusal to join in.
Appearing on Sky News with journalist Barbara Serra, Lappen explained exactly why he had no interest in taking part.
‘First of all, I just find it really stupid,’ he said.
‘That’s the thing I thought when they came up with it, that it was stupid and annoying, and I didn’t want to do it.
Norwegian football fan Emil Anners Lappen has refused to do the viral Viking Row
Emil Anners Lappen, pictured top centre, refuse to do the row while other Norway supporters did it around him
‘Then it was obviously a lot of what Iceland were doing, and it’s factually wrong. They didn’t row, they sailed over the Atlantic.’
Lappen argued Norway’s supporters had borrowed too heavily from Iceland’s iconic Thunderclap, which became famous during Euro 2016.
When Serra suggested the Viking Row had simply adapted the idea to Norwegian culture by replacing clapping with rowing, Lappen remained unconvinced.
‘But changing the motion isn’t enough to get it away from just being a copy of exactly what they did,’ he said.
‘All they wanted was the same reaction from people, and then they just changed the motion.
‘That’s the same thing.’
He also took issue with what he saw as the chant’s misunderstanding of Viking history.
‘The Vikings sailed across the Atlantic. They didn’t row across the Atlantic,’ he said.
Erling Haaland even led the Norway team in the Viking Row after their Round of 16 win over Brazil
Despite the sole Norway fan’s refusal going viral, the Viking Clap has become an iconic part of the 2026 World Cup
‘A song that they released together with the rowing said they were going to row across the Atlantic. That’s why I’ve been so annoyed about it.’
While acknowledging Viking ships carried oars, Lappen maintained they were not used for long ocean crossings.
‘The Vikings rowed up rivers and things like that, but across the Atlantic they sailed,’ he said.
Serra pointed out that Viking vessels were equipped with both sails and oars, suggesting the celebration was simply intended as a fun way for supporters to back their national team.
She asked whether the debate might be missing the bigger picture.
‘Can I just make the point that perhaps you’re missing the wider issue here, that it’s about supporting your country?’ she said.
‘Isn’t it all just a bit of fun?’
Lappen replied: ‘You can say that, but when they released it, I found it stupid and I wanted to show that I didn’t appreciate it.
‘I think I got the message across.’
He certainly did.
The image of Lappen standing still while everyone around him rowed has become one of the defining fan moments of the tournament, even as the Viking Row itself continues to gain momentum around the world.
The celebration has exploded in popularity during Norway’s first men’s World Cup appearance since 1998, with supporters performing it in stadiums, city squares, train stations and public landmarks across North America.
Tourism officials have embraced the phenomenon, describing it as a tribute to Norway’s long maritime history.
Google also created a special animation that appears when users search for ‘Viking Row’ or Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.
Haaland encouraged supporters to try it, posting on X: ‘One thing to do today … search my name on Google.’
Despite the chant’s worldwide popularity, Lappen will not be joining in any time soon.
Asked how he would support Norway during its historic clash with England, he replied: ‘I will be supporting them comfortably from my chair at home.’
‘No rowing whatsoever.’
