Norway’s World Cup Surge Unites Los Angeles’ Small Norwegian Community

Norway’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—its first appearance since 1998—has sparked a series of public viewings across Southern California. After the round-of-16 match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, New Jersey, local fans prepared for the quarterfinal against England, scheduled for 2 p.m. Central Time on Saturday in Miami. The tournament’s progress has become a focal point for the region’s relatively modest Norwegian diaspora.

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Organizers have staged watch parties at diverse venues, including a San Pedro church affiliated with the Seaman’s Church (Sjømannskirken), a Westside Irish bar, and Joxer Daly’s in Culver City. The San Pedro event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering waffles, hot dogs, popcorn, and a children’s bouncy castle, while the church also operates a Norwegian goods shop. Joxer Daly’s hosts a noon-through-match screening with complimentary waffles, and its organizer, Erik Steigen, advises early arrival for seating. These gatherings have drawn both longtime expatriates and newcomers, creating a family-friendly atmosphere that highlights Norwegian culinary staples and communal activities such as “rowing like a Viking.”

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• “How kind and humble the team are being. … They're not bragging unnecessarily,” — Vilde Vevatne, Oslo-born L.A. resident

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• “They're genuinely just excited to be there. They're doing their best job and not thinking they're better than anyone else.” — Vilde Vevatne

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• “That's like an unwritten rule in Norwegian culture where we're taught from a young age — ‘Don't think you're special. Don't think you're better than everyone else,’” — Vilde Vevatne

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• “I feel like that was what was really cool about the World Cup is that it really brought Norwegians together in L.A.,” — Elise Maeland, longtime Southern California resident

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The quarterfinal match between Norway and England will be broadcast from the San Pedro church and Joxer Daly’s, with attendees expected to gravitate toward the venue hosting the largest Norwegian crowd. Both locations have posted schedules and contact information on Facebook and dedicated websites, encouraging fans to arrive early for seating and refreshments.

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