Some welcomes are formal.

Others are remembered because they catch everyone by surprise.

That was the case when Norway’s national team arrived in Dallas ahead of their World Cup last-32 match against Ivory Coast.

A surprise outside the hotel

The Norwegian players were met by a group of uniformed police officers.

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But instead of a standard greeting, the officers chose something far more unusual.

According to TV 2, 16 officers performed a rowing motion as the team arrived.

The gesture was quickly understood by the Norwegian squad.

It was a tribute to the rowing celebration used by Norway’s supporters during the tournament.

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Thorsby shares the moment

The scene was captured by Morten Thorsby, who shared the video on Instagram.

In the clip, the officers can be seen moving in rhythm, copying the movement that has become part of Norway’s World Cup atmosphere.

It was a small moment, but one that showed how far the team’s fan culture has travelled during the tournament.

Norwegian supporters have brought noise, colour and their own traditions to the stands.

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In Dallas, even the local police appeared to have noticed.

Focus returns to Ivory Coast

For Norway, the welcome came before one of the most important matches of their tournament.

The meeting with Ivory Coast offers a place in the next round, and the pressure will now move quickly back to the pitch.

Still, the scene in Dallas gave the players a lighter moment before the tension of knockout football.

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A group of police officers, a rowing gesture and a surprised Norway squad.

Not the usual World Cup arrival, but one the players are unlikely to forget.

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