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The World Cup is bringing LA's Norwegians together. You can row with them too
By Mariana Dale at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· July 9, 2026
· 6 min read
Fans cheer during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J.(Pamela Smith / AP)Norway’s historic World Cup performance has brought together Southern California’s relatively small, but spirited Norwegian community.They’ve been packing into a San Pedr...
Key takeaway They’ve been packing into a San Pedro Church, a Westside Irish bar and have taught people to row like a Viking at watch parties throughout the region, after Norway qualified this year for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The Norwegian community's World Cup celebrations have brought a new level of excitement to Los Angeles ' cultural landscape. As fans gather at various watch parties across the city, including a San Pedro church and a Westside Irish bar, they are not only cheering on their team but also sharing their heritage with the community. The tradition of rowing like a Viking, which has become a viral phenomenon, is now being taught to locals at these events, providing a unique opportunity for Angelenos to experience Norwegian culture. The Norwegian Seaman's Church in San Pedro, founded in 1941 to serve Nordic sailors, has become a hub for these celebrations, showcasing the city's diverse cultural roots. As the team advances to the quarter-finals, their enthusiasm is likely to spread, potentially attracting new fans and further enriching the city's cultural tapestry.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Fans cheer during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J.(Pamela Smith / AP)Norway’s historic World Cup performance has brought together Southern California’s relatively small, but spirited Norwegian community.They’ve been packing into a San Pedr...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Mariana Dale at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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