Royals at the World Cup

Princess Ingrid Alexandra's viral shirtless hug with Haaland has everyone talking


The children of Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit traveled to the U.S. to cheer on Norway during its World Cup clash with Brazil


Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway and Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway pose for a photograph before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 05, 2026© Jordan Bank - FIFA
By María Carraté, José A. Carrascoso
UPDATED JULY 6, 2026 11:55 AM EDT

Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus traveled to the United States to once again show their support for Norway's national team at the 2026 World Cup. Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit's children didn't just cheer their hearts out from the stands and burst with joy over their country's historic win, they also became part of a viral moment with one of the stars of the day: Erling Haaland.

Prince Sverre Magnus and Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway at the 2026 World Cup match between Brazil and Norway on July 5, 2026© Getty Images/MAURO PIMENTEL
Prince Sverre Magnus and Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway at the 2026 World Cup match between Brazil and Norway on July 5, 2026

The victory hug 

The Norwegian striker became the man of the hour after scoring both goals that led Norway to victory in the round-of-16 match against Brazil, which ended 2-1. Ingrid and Sverre Magnus experienced the win with intense emotion, jumping, shouting, and applauding with their national team scarves, as seen in this video. But they also wanted to head down to the locker room to congratulate the players on their fantastic performance, and that's where this viral moment took place.

Watch the viral hug

The siblings greeted the players one by one, congratulating each of them. Both of them gave Erling Haaland an enthusiastic hug, who at that moment wasn't wearing his shirt, giving us a rather curious scene. "Miracle in New Jersey!" reads a message posted by the Norwegian Royal House when sharing this amusing video, among others. 

Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway at the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Brazil and Norway in New Jersey© Getty Images/Jordan Bank - FIFA
The royal siblings experienced the match from the stands in New Jersey.

King Harald's grandchildren also took the opportunity to pose for photos with two great legends of Brazilian soccer: Ronaldinho and Ronaldo Nazário.

Ingrid and Sverre pose at the stadium alongside former Brazilian footballers Ronaldinho and Ronaldo© detnorskekongehus
Ingrid and Sverre pose at the stadium alongside former Brazilian footballers Ronaldinho and Ronaldo

Haakon and Mette-Marit follow the match from home

Meanwhile, their parents, Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit, also closely followed the match, but from thousands of miles away and in a much quieter setting. Following the princess's recent lung transplant, they watched the game in a relaxed atmosphere, seated, though still wearing their scarves, of course. 

This can be seen in the image shared by the Norwegian Royal House, the first photo since the surgery that became necessary for Mette-Marit due to the worsening of the pulmonary fibrosis she has suffered from for years.

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit supporting the Norwegian national team at the 2026 World Cup© detnorskekongehus
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit supporting the Norwegian national team at the 2026 World Cup

Ingrid and Sverre, the Norwegian team's lucky charms

This isn't the first time Princess Ingrid and Prince Sverre Magnus have supported the Norwegian team live and in person at this World Cup. A few days earlier, they had already witnessed Norway's win over Senegal (3-2) and caught the fever-pitch energy in the stadium, complete with cheers and the "Viking thunderclap." Now, amid Mette-Marit's recovery, they represented the Royal House at this match, which once again brought Norway to victory.