As World Cup fever grips Bangladesh once again, the Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka has launched a unique campaign urging local football fans to support Norway during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a social media post, the embassy invited Bangladeshis to adopt Norway as their "second team," noting that Bangladesh is not participating in the tournament while Norway is returning to football's biggest stage after a 28-year absence.
The embassy highlighted the long-standing relationship between the two countries, recalling that Norway was among the first nations to recognize Bangladesh after its independence. It also pointed to their cooperation on issues such as peacebuilding, mediation and climate action.
"Our bond is built on respect, history and friendship," the embassy said.
Drawing parallels between the two nations, the embassy noted that both are coastal countries shaped by rivers and the sea and share a strong cultural appreciation for fish.
It also emphasized that while Bangladesh is relatively small in terms of land area and Norway has a small population, both nations nurture big ambitions on the global stage.
The post further highlighted a shared commitment to fairness, whether in international cooperation, development efforts or on the football field.
For football enthusiasts still undecided, the embassy pointed to Norway's biggest sporting attraction — star striker Erling Braut Haaland.
Widely regarded as one of the world's top footballers, the Manchester City forward is expected to play a key role in Norway's World Cup campaign and could help attract support from Bangladeshi fans.
"So, what do you say, Bangladesh? Time to back the underdogs! Time to dream big together!" the embassy said in its closing message.
Football support in Bangladesh has traditionally centered around powerhouses such as Argentina and Brazil during World Cup tournaments. Whether Norway can win over a significant number of Bangladeshi supporters remains to be seen, but the embassy's creative outreach has already generated interest among football fans.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
