The story of Norway's Viking World Cup photoshoot

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. The story of Norway's Viking World Cup photoshootImage source, David YarrowByFlora SnelsonBBC Sport journalistPublished22 minutes agoThe focus of world football will be tight to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland when Norway play at their first World Cup finals since 1998. But, tasked by the Norwegian football association with taking the squad's send-off photo, acclaimed British photographer David Yarrow preferred a wider angle to capture the contribution of all 26 players. With his photo entitled 'The Vikings are coming', Yarrow snubbed the tradition of shooting players on airplane steps.

Instead, the squad headed to one of the country's famed fjords to be snapped head-to-toe in authentic Viking dress, with weapons and shields to boot. Image gallerySkip image galleryImage source, David YarrowImage caption, Yarrow captured behind-the-scenes footage to ward off suggestions his photo had been generated by artificial intelligenceImage source, David YarrowImage caption, It was important to find a location which would have privacy from onlookersImage source, David YarrowImage caption, Authentic costumes were sourced from theatre companies in OsloImage source, David YarrowImage caption, Yarrow said Haaland's sister had described his 2023 portrait as "the best looking picture of ever"1 of 4 Previous image Next imageSlide 1 of 4 , Martin Odegaard, in viking costume, looks at a book with David Yarrow , Yarrow captured behind-the-scenes footage to ward off suggestions his photo had been generated by artificial intelligenceEnd of image galleryThe idea for the epic photograph originated during an international break in 2023, when Yarrow shot Haaland alone in Viking dress, waist-deep in an Oslo fjord. It wasn't difficult for Yarrow to capture the intended atmosphere.

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"If you had to choose one sportsperson in the world that doesn't need much hair and make up to look like a Viking, it's Erling Haaland," Yarrow said. "And so it was easy to shoot with him. "It wasn't the first time that Yarrow has looked to history for inspiration.

Before Team Europe teed off at Bethpage Black in September, he photographed the defending Ryder Cup champions in front of the Manhattan Bridge dressed in prohibition-era suits and hats. The black-and-white photo, which featured at the team's headquarters, was a talking point for the golfers as they successfully beat the United States to retain the trophy. Sales of the photo have raised more than a million dollars for Irish charities.

Yarrow hopes that the Norway squad photo, which will sit next to a table tennis table at the side's Greensboro base in North Carolina, has the same impact. Four months ago, the Norway football association contacted him with a proposal. Having developed a trusting relationship with Yarrow in his solo shoot, Haaland - "the unofficial voice of the team" - was keen to involve the photographer in their World Cup preparations.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.