Inside football's biggest fan superstitions for FIFA 2026: Lucky shirts, Viking rows and more

Football supporters around the world have rituals they refuse to break, believing they could make all the difference once the whistle blows

From lucky unwashed jerseys and fixed matchday seats to Viking chants, football fans around the world swear by rituals they believe can influence the beautiful game. Whether their team is winning, losing or fighting to stay alive, these matchday superstitions remain as much a part of the World Cup as the action on the pitch.

Norway: The Viking Row

Norway's iconic Viking row

Norway’s travelling supporters, known as the Viking Army, have turned the Viking Row into one of the tournament’s biggest fan spectacles with Erling Haaland leading the charge. Packed shoulder-to-shoulder, supporters mimic rowing an invisible Viking longship in perfect sync. It draws heavily on Scandinavian heritage, representing the idea of an unstoppable force rowing into battle.

Brazil: Lucky jerseys and lucky seats

Brazilian fans are fiercely protective of their matchday rituals. If the team wins while they’re wearing a particular jersey, it stays unwashed until the tournament ends to avoid “washing away” the luck. And if Brazil concedes, many immediately abandon the chair, or even the room, they’re watching from, convinced a change of position could reverse the team’s fortunes.

Argentina: The ‘Kiricocho’ curse

For Colombian fans, what you eat is just as important as where you watch. If a victory comes while sharing a particular meal, whether it’s bandeja paisa (a massive, iconic Colombian platter) or another family favourite, the exact same menu must be repeated for every match. Changing the food, many believe, could break the team’s winning rhythm.