Ida Solbakken, 22, Goes Viral After Norway Coach's 3-2 World Cup Celebration

Q: Is the viral fame of the coach's family a charming subplot or a potential distraction for Norway's biggest game?

It looks far more like a charming subplot than a real distraction. The facts available point in one direction: the viral moment came after Norway’s emotionally charged 3-2 win over Senegal, when coach Ståle Solbakken celebrated with his wife, Anniken, in the stands. Their daughter Ida’s repost — “It doesn’t get bigger than this” — turned a family celebration into a social-media story, but there is no evidence it has disrupted Norway’s preparation. If anything, the episode fits the broader mood around Norway’s campaign. This is the country’s first World Cup since 1998, they arrived with a perfect qualifying record, and the team’s run has already been driven by strong public energy, from the “Viking Row” in Times Square to the spotlight on stars such as Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. In that context, the Solbakken family story looks like an extension of the feel-good atmosphere rather than a destabilizing sideshow. That said, high-stakes tournaments can magnify any off-field noise. Coaches and players typically try to maintain a protective bubble before major matches, and even positive attention can become a nuisance if it grows too loud. Norway’s challenge before facing France is to keep the focus on tactics, recovery and execution. For now, though, the evidence suggests this is a human-interest boost, not a problem. Unless the attention begins to dominate the team’s internal environment, it remains a warm World Cup footnote rather than a threat to Norway’s biggest game.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 24

Ida Solbakken, 22, drew online attention after fans identified her following Norway coach Ståle Solbakken’s viral postmatch embrace with his wife, Anniken.
The family moment came moments after Norway’s 3-2 win over Senegal on Monday, a result that sent Norway into the 2026 World Cup knockout stage.
Ståle Solbakken jumped into the stands to hug and kiss Anniken at New York New Jersey Stadium, turning the celebration into a widely shared clip.
Ida amplified the moment by reposting video of her parents’ celebration and writing, “It doesn’t get bigger than this,” as Norway’s World Cup run continued.