Ole Frøystad

Ole Frøystad
Born1986 or 1987 (age 38–40)
Leinøya, Herøy, Norway
Other nameMr. Row Row
EducationMaster's degree in sports psychology
OccupationsPrimary school teacher, sports psychologist, content creator
Years active2026–present
AgentEgmont People
Known forCreator of the Viking Row football chant

Ole Frøystad (born 1986 or 1987), known online as Mr. Row Row, is a Norwegian media personality, primary school teacher and sports psychologist. He gained international media coverage during the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the creator of the "Viking Row" football chant.

Background

Frøystad is from Leinøya in Herøy, Norway, and later relocated to the Oslo region for his career.[1] He works as a primary school teacher in Bærum municipality.[2]

He also holds a master's degree in sports psychology.[3] During his youth, Frøystad pursued a competitive football career with aspirations of playing for the national team, but he was forced to stop due to a career-ending injury.[1]

The Viking Row

Prior to the 2026 World Cup, Frøystad sought to create a chant to unify fans of the Norway men's national football team. Inspired by chants from the Norwegian club Rosenborg BK, he developed the "Viking Row", a synchronized seated chant designed to mimic Vikings preparing for battle by pulling oars.[3]

Social media career

After collaborating with the Norwegian supporters' club Oljeberget to refine the chant, Frøystad posted an instructional video on his Instagram account, @mr.row.row, following a friendly match against Sweden on 1 June 2026. The video received over 38 million views and nearly 3 million likes, establishing his online alias, "Mr. Row Row."[3][4] Following his viral presence during the tournament, Frøystad expanded his activities as a content creator. In July 2026, the Norwegian talent agency Egmont People announced that they had signed Frøystad for professional management representation.[5]

"Vikingblod" song

In March 2026, Frøystad and other representatives of the supporters' group Oljeberget collaborated with Norwegian artist Petter "Katastrofe" Bjørklund Kristiansen to record a World Cup anthem.[6] The resulting pop track, titled "Vikingblod" (Viking Blood), incorporates the drumbeats and the shouting of the Viking Row chant into its production.[7] Frøystad was present in the studio during the recording process, stating to the press that the goal was to integrate "Norwegian culture and a bit of Viking rawness" into the music.[6] Released by Warner Music Norway on 27 March 2026, the song became one of the most popular tracks in Norway and was widely adopted by traveling supporters during the tournament.[8][9]

Royal reception

During the return of the Norwegian national football team, Frøystad was part of the Viking Row performance outside the Royal Palace in Oslo, led by Crown Prince Haakon. Frøystad also joined the bus tour with the national team through Karl Johan.[10]

Media appearances

During the 2026 World Cup in North America, Frøystad traveled with Norwegian supporters. His organization of the chant in public spaces, including a gathering of hundreds of fans in Times Square, New York City, led to increased media attention.[11]

Frøystad was interviewed by networks such as ESPN and CNN, as well as official FIFA media.[3][12] He also appeared on American daytime talk shows, including Good Morning America and The View.[13] During matches, such as in Dallas, Texas, he was featured on stadium video boards leading the chant.[14] In addition to their television appearances, Frøystad and fellow Oljeberget organizer Halvor Viste Berg received formal invitations to meet with U.S. state governors during the tournament.[15]

At Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Frøystad was recorded teaching the chant to American streamer IShowSpeed, which he subsequently posted to his social media channels.[16]

In interviews, Frøystad highlighted the chant's role in promoting unity among fans. He cited a moment in Foxborough where Norwegian fans exchanged the Viking Row with the clapping chant of French supporters.[12] He also stated that he was overwhelmed by the widespread adoption of the chant, noting that he "almost started crying" when the Norwegian national team performed the chant in unison with fans following their match against Senegal.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 Melheim Næss, Trine; Schaathun, Pål Sørum (20 June 2026). "Millioner har sett «MR. ROW. ROW»: – Jeg ville bare sette Norge på kartet". TV 2 (in Norwegian). Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "Et godt sted å være ny lærer" (in Norwegian). Bærum kommune. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "'Bigger than football': Norway fans' Viking row makes waves at World Cup". The Guardian. 3 July 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Norway's Viking Row goes viral". TVP World. 7 July 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "Egmont People on LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Egmont People. July 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  6. 1 2 Fjellvang, Fredrik; Løkås, Kristoffer (22 March 2026). "Petter Katastrofe slipper VM-låt". TV 2 (in Norwegian). Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "'Viking Row' powering Norway's World Cup progress". FIFA. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Vikingblod (Norway Row Chant)". National Library of Norway (in Norwegian). 27 March 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "FIFA World Cup 2026: The story of Norway's viral 'Viking Row' celebration, from its architects". ANI News. 5 July 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  10. ↑ Sønju, Herman Nicolai; Langsem, Bjørn (2026-07-19). "Kan være over". Dagbladet (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2026-07-20.
  11. ↑ "What Is The 'Viking Row' And Why Is Norway Doing It At The World Cup?". FOX Sports. 30 June 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 "Norway's Viking Row and French clapping: two sets of fans, one language at FIFA World Cup 2026". Inside FIFA. 29 June 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "Saiba a origem da remada viking, fenômeno na Copa do Mundo 2026". TMC (in Portuguese). Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  14. ↑ "Knockout Stage Ramps Up Drama as 2026 World Cup Rows On". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  15. ↑ "Sunnmøringene som tok over Times Square". iÅlesund (in Norwegian). July 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "Mr. Row Row teaching IShowSpeed how to row like a true Viking". YouTube. July 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
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