Norway fans gather to watch their team's match against England. [AFP]
Norway fans gather to watch their team's match against England. [AFP]

Norwegian Air has replaced its official Instagram profile picture with the British Airways logo after Norway's quarterfinal exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America.

According to Euronews and other media on Sunday (local time), the two airlines had struck a bet on Instagram ahead of England's quarterfinal clash with Norway: whichever country's team lost would have to display the rival airline's logo as its profile picture for a day. Norwegian Air made the first move, tagging British Airways in its challenge post.

British Airways replied, "Don't make a bet you can't win." When Norwegian Air shot back asking whether British Airways was scared, the British carrier responded: "Fear? Nor-way." — a pun blending "Norway" with "no way." Norwegian Air's challenge post drew more than 112,000 likes, while British Airways' comment racked up over 35,000.

The bet was formalized with real ceremony. A Norwegian Air employee flew to British Airways' headquarters in London for a handshake, and the two companies exchanged USB drives containing each other's logo files.

Other airlines quickly joined in. Malaysia Airlines commented that it would "watch with a signature drink in hand." Austrian Airlines quipped that it would "bring the schnitzel while the two of you fight over logos." Finnair, KLM, airBaltic and Riyadh Air also weighed in with their own comments.

England won the match, beating Norway 2-1 in extra time in Miami, Florida, to advance to the semifinals.

Norwegian Air honored the bet without delay, swapping its Instagram profile picture to the British Airways logo and writing: "Our tournament is over, but this friendly wager will stay in our hearts forever."

The airline added that it wished England and British Airways well in the semifinals, saying it "truly hopes football is coming home."

British Airways replied, "The new look suits you very well." Australia's Qantas reacted to Norwegian Air's new profile picture with a popular internet phrase: "Posted because it's cute — but might delete later."

Online reactions ranged from amused to admiring. "Lost the game but won the internet," one user wrote. Others said they "double-checked thinking the account had been hacked," praised the airline for "turning even a defeat into content," and declared that "both social media teams deserve a bouquet."


dbsdn1110@heraldcorp.com