One Norway fan is giving a red card to his fellow countrymen. 

As Norwegian soccer fans have gone viral for celebrating the team with their signature unison row at the 2026 World Cup, one attendee at the tournament, Emil Lappen, has gained notoriety for opting out of the celebratory move. And he has no qualms about not joining in.

“I just find it really stupid,” Lappen told Sky News in an interview posted to X July 9. “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.”

The so-called “Viking Row” first gained popularity at this year’s World Cup and consists of fans doing an exaggerated rowing motion in unison as they shout the Norwegian word for “row” over and over again. The chant typically begins with the blowing of a Norse horn known as Gjallarhorn to get fans ready.

As for why Lappen—who was sporting his Norway jersey throughout the interview—found himself so annoyed with the chant? He believes it’s a poor imitation of Iceland’s “Viking Thunder Clap,” which starts with a loud shout and continues with clapping in unison that grows in speed.

And while clapping is indeed different from rowing, for Lappen the sentiment remains.

“Changing a motion isn't enough to get it away from just being a copy of exactly what they did,” he explained. “All they wanted was the same reaction from people and then they just changed the motion. That’s the same thing.”

But almost more importantly? “It's factually wrong,” Lappen said, noting the Vikings “didn't row. They sailed over the Atlantic.”

Indeed, the rowing the motions are meant to call back to the rowing on a Viking ship, which Lappen maintains never actually happened in Viking history as they would have needed sails to cross the Atlantic Ocean, not just oars. 

“They said they were gonna row across the Atlantic, and that's why I've been so annoyed about it,” he added. “The Vikings rowed up rivers and things like that, but across the Atlantic they sailed.”

Regardless of the chant being a fun way for Norway fans to come together, Lappen remained unmoved, adding, “I found it stupid, and I wanted to show that I didn't appreciate it. And I think I got the message across.”

And what happens if Norway beats England in the quarter-final match at Miami Stadium on July 11? 

“They can win whatever they want,” Lappen emphasized, “I will not row.”

While the Norway fan will be watching the game from the comfort of his own home, keep reading for all the stars who have experienced the 2026 World Cup in person.

The Real Housewives of Rhode Island stars put aside their feud for a winning jersey swap at the FIFA World Cup 2026 match with Casamigos on July 5.

The rapper's got 99 problems but attending the Brazil vs. Norway match ain't one.

The Power stars created the ultimate legacy at the Casamigos suite during the Brazil vs. Norway FIFA World Cup 2026 match on July 5.

The BMX athlete toasted to the Brazil vs. Norway game from inside the Tequila Don Julio suite at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 5.

The couple spiced up the Argentina vs. Cabo Verde game at Miami Stadium July 3, bringing along their sons Romeo Beckham and Cruz Beckham.

The Pulp Fiction alum rocked head-to-toe Adidas as he caught the Australia vs. Egypt game at Dallas Stadium on July 3.

Shaquille O'Neal's son had a slam dunk time inside the Tequila Don Julio suite during the France vs. Sweden match on on June 30.

Parents' night out. The model and the "Devastated" rapper caught the Panama vs. England game from the Tequila Don Julio suite at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 27.

The Blink-182 drummer rocked out during the World Cup Fan Zone festivities at Los Angeles' Union Station on June 27.

After helping England secure a 2-0 win against Panama, the soccer player was honored with Michelob ULTRA's Superior Player of the Match Award by the model.

The Magic Mike star dressed up as Norwegian soccer player Erling Haaland alongside fans during the Norway vs. France game at Boston Stadium on June 26. 

The NFL star and his girlfriend had a touchdown time watching the Ecuador vs. Germany game from the Tequila Don Julio suite at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 25.

The 98 Degrees singer cherished his time inside the SoFi suite during the Turkey vs. USA game at Los Angeles Stadium on June 25.

The That '70s Show alum was hanging out, down the street from the Turkey vs. USA game at Los Angeles Stadium, hitting up a Raising Cane’s party hosted on Snoop Dogg's Compound in Inglewood, Calif.

The "Stars Are Blind" singer and her daughter, who she shares with husband Carter Reum, watched the Turkey vs. USA from inside Los Angeles Stadium.

The couple had a date night at Raising Cane's viewing party on June 25.

The Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings actor marveled at the view from the SoFi suite during the Turkey vs. USA game June 25.

The Kissing Booth actress cheered on Turkey at the Raising Cane's party on June 25.

Reminders of love. The real estate broker and the Reminders of Him star cozied up at the Raising Cane's party after the Turkey vs. USA game. 

The "Sicko Mode" rapper brought his and ex Kylie Jenner's kids to the Portugal vs. Uzbekistan game in Houston on June 23.

The YouTuber and the filmmaker cheered on Norway from the Tequila Don Julio suite inside New York New Jersey Stadium on June 22.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey stars put aside their longtime feud for an iconic jersey swap at the Norway vs. Senegal match with Casamigos.

The Wonka actor and Bring It On star settled their debate over classic margs vs. spicy margs with Casamigos Margaritas while cheering on Brazil vs. Morocco at NY NJ Stadium June 13.

The "Toda" singer was rooting for Brazil in his Nike jersey during the team's game against Morocco.

The model grabbed a drink inside the Tequila Don Julio suite at NY NJ Stadium during the Brazil vs. Morocco game.

After playing against Morocco on June 13, Vini Jr. received Michelob ULTRA's Superior Player of the Match Award from his soccer hero.

The Oscar winners were all smiles inside Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves’ celebrity suite at Los Angeles Stadium during the USA vs. Paraguay game.

Baby's first World Cup game. The pregnant supermodel and the Disney Channel alum soak up the sun inside the Raising Cane’s suite at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12.

The Traitors alum was faithfully rooting for his home country from inside the SoFi suite at Los Angeles Stadium during the USA vs. Paraguay match.

One game after another. The One Battle After Another actress sipped on a Raising Cane's drink during the USA vs. Paraguay game on June 12.