Viking row

 

https://www.npr.org/2026/06/25/nx-s1-5866742/world-cup-norway-soccer-viking-row

https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/norway-s-viking-row-spreads-the-glow-of-warmth-at-the-world-cup/ar-AA26lPt6

What do you see in the picture, where are they, who are they, what are they doing?

The picture shows Norway football supporters in the stadium watching their team. The supporters are performing a Viking row together.

What is a Viking row?

Why are they rowing invisible ships?

Why are they all joining in?

The Viking row has gone viral at the World Cup. There have been videos posted on social media showing thousands of people joining in the Viking row, Back home in Norway the Prime Minister and parliament did a row and the speaker of parliament said, "We are doing it for peace. We are doing it for love and to show our support for the football team, which we are really proud of."

How can a row stand for peace and love?

Norway have not been in the World Cup for 28 years - the last time was 1998- so the 5 million people that live in Norway are incredibly proud of their team. 

How do you think this viral row started?

The rowing was started by Norwegian football fan Ole Froystad. Ole says, "A thousand years ago the Vikings rowed. They took in their sails and put out their oars to get to shore. And they did that right before battle. It's about rowing for the team, making sure they feel good on the pitch."

Why Vikings?

The Norway fans first became famous after a video of them rowing on an escalator went viral. Since then they have rowed in Times Square, New York and all over America.

What do you think happens when the Norway fans gather to row?

Do you have to be Norwegian to join in, is everyone in this photo from Norway?

Why are people who support different teams joining in?

A social media post this week saw Ola teaching Scottish football fans how to row. In another post he approaches different people and asks if they know a word for row in a different language. He learns how to say row in 5 different languages.

Watch the first 2 minutes of this video to see Norwegain and Scottish fans joining together for the row

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4zEHRa7hm8

Why do this?

Why not just stick to Norwegian fans?

Journalist Shomshuvra Laha says the Viking row represents a collective identity, "Norway's supporters and players announce a shared story: we advance together, we lose together."

What is a collective identity?

"They offer a shared emotional experience, a moment of oneness that will forever remain... The underlying message remains remarkably consistent; they are always to foster togetherness."

Why / how do you think these actions foster togetherness?

Could we do a Viking row in this assembly?

Is it ok to do a Viking row if you are an England supporter?

Is there an English equivalent?

Why is this about No Outsiders?

Which British Value is this about?

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First Muslim player

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cr4q05l0gq9o

What do you see in the picture, who is this? What do you think this story might be about?

The picture shows Djed Spence who is playing for England in the World Cup this year. Djed represents a first. This is the first time something has happened in the England squad. 

Can you guess what that is?

This is the first time a Muslim footballer has played for the senior England men's team. Djed says, "It's good to make history and hopefully inspire young kids around the world so that they can make it as well. They can do what I am doing."

How might Djed inspire young kids?

Do you think Djed is only talking about young Muslim kids?

Nathan Ellington is a footballer who converted to Islam later in life, during a football career where he scored 100 goals. Nathan says, "When you first become Muslim, you try to navigate some of the things that are new. What happens is, some people in football clubs.."

How do you think Nathan might finish this sentence?

"What happens is some people in football clubs don't know much about the religion and they just look at it negatively."

Why do you think this sometimes happens?

"But then maybe they start to learn and realise, 'oh it's not that different, he just needs this adjustment, this food, time to pray. Sometimes people treat you as though you don't conform to the 'normal' way of being a footballer - you can be seen as an outsider."

What does Nathan mean by that?

Riz Rahman works as an inclusion executive for the Football Association.

What do you think an inclusion executive does?

What does this job show about football in 2026?

Some people might say there is no need for an inclusion executive in football. How would you respond?

Riz says, "It's not easy when players are fasting during Ramadan and playing at the same time, but with proper support it can be done. We also speak to clubs about ensuring clubs have a space to pray, how to include their families and understand about their faith as much as possible. It's all about Education."

Why does Riz think it's important that football clubs know about different religions?

"It's very important that young men and women in sport are encouraged to be themselves. It costs us nothing to support a player for you they are and it opens the gates for others in the future. It's not just Muslims - there are going to be kids of other heritages who are inspired by Djed."

Who is Riz talking about here?

What can we learn from Djed Spence?

Why is this about No Outsiders?

Which British Value is this about?

Do you want this assembly as a power point with Oracy sentence stems? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org

No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 

Andrew Moffat delivers in-school No Outsiders training- watch a short video here 

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England Squad 2026

 

https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2026/May/22/england-mens-world-cup-2026-squad-named-by-thomas-tuchel-20262205

What do you see here? Who are they, do you know any names? 

This is the England squad for the World Cup 2026. 

What do you notice about the England team in 2026? 

The England team is very diverse. 

What do you know about the rules if you play for England in the World Cup, who makes the rules? 

The official rules for representing the England national team in the World Cup are set out by Fifa. There are four criteria: Citizenship; Territorial Birth; Ancenstry; Education/ Residency. 

What do you think each of these words mean?

Citizenship: A player must be a national of the country they represent. 

Territorial Birth: Born in the territory of the relevant association (England). 

Ancestry: Biological parents or grandparents were born in the territory. 

Education/Residency: The player lived and received education in the territory for a set number of years (at least 5 years). 

How do these rules affect the England Squad? 

How have immigrants affected our England team today?

How many out of the 26 players do you think come from families born outside England? 

19 out of 26 players have heritage or descent from countries other than England. 

Marc Guehi was born on the Ivory coast and moved to England with his family when he was one year old. 

 Ezri Konsa's dad is from the Congo and his mum is from Angola. 

Tino Livramento's dad is from Portugal and his mum is from Scotland. 

Djed Spence's dad is Jamaican. 

Jarell Quansah is eligible to represent England, Ghana, Scotland and Barbados through his heritage. 

Jude Bellingham has Irish decent through his father and Kenyan descent through his mother 

Declan Rice has grandparents from Ireland. 

Kobbie Mainoo's parents are from Ghana. 

Eberechi Eze's parents are from Nigeria.

Harry Kane's dad is Irish.  

Marcus Rashford's parents are Jamaican. 

Nico O’Reilly's dad is Jamaican. 

Morgan Rogers has partial Jamaican descent.

Anthony Gordon is of Irish and Scottish descent.

Bukayo Saka has Nigerian parents who emigrated to London. 

Noni Madueke is of Igbo Nigerian descent.

Ollie Watkins is of Jamaican descent.

Ivan Tony has Jamaican descent though his mum and Vincentian descent through his dad.

Reece James is of Grenadian and Dominican descent though his Dad and English descent through his Mum 

Who is the England manager, responsible for choosing the squad and leading England to victory? Should they be English?

The England manager is Thomas Tuchel. He was born in Germany. Thomas is the first German- born manager of the England team. He has coached Harry Kane, Mason Mount and Reece James. He has won three league titles in Europe.

Here is a video of the England squad reveal. Why do you think they chose these images? What does the video make you think about England today and the World Cup?

https://youtu.be/2umUvkWzzxw?si=ZSGW8T_1jCQkiav6

What does the England squad 2026 tell us about living in England today?

Why is this about No Outsiders?

Which British Value is this about?

Do you want this assembly as a power point with Oracy sentence stems? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org

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England 2026 World Cup Squad Guide 

Pride 2026

 

https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/04/londons-reform-council-cancels-pride-flag-ceremony-28633976/

What do you see in the picture, where are they, what are they doing, what do you think this story is about?

This picture was taken at Birmingham Pride last weekend.

What is Pride? Why do people go on Pride events, who is it for?

(pupils may say Pride is for everyone, which is true, but ask what it is specifically for. Is it about racism, for example? What are the four or five letters you often hear when talking about Pride and what do they stand for - LGBTQ+) 

There are Pride events every year in many cities around the world. Thousands of people march, wave flags and celebrate acceptance and freedom to be who they are.

Birmingham City Council flew the rainbow flag above the Council House and the library lit up in rainbow colours over the weekend.

Why do that? What is the council trying to show residents of Birmingham in 2026?

Some councils in the UK have banned Pride flags in public buildings this year. In Havering, East London, for example, the council office has flown a Pride flag during Pride month every year, but this year they will not. They have also told libraries to "scale back" pride celebrations. They say only the Union jack and St George's cross can be flown from public buildings.

What do you think about this decision?

What do you think some residents in Havering did in response?

Some residents in Havering held their own Pride event in the local park where they waved flags and had a picnic. One person said, "We can't change their decision but we can choose to be more direct in our efforts."

What does "being more direct" mean?

You could argue there's no point in doing this as the decision can't be changed. What do you think?

In your opinion, did the residents do the right thing, are they breaking the law?

The Havering council leader explained the reason the council do not feel they need to fly the Pride flag; "The union (jack) flag represents our country and as such is inclusive of all our residents."

Can you see both sides of this argument?

What is your opinion?

Some people might argue in 2026 we don't need Pride events anyway. What are the arguments for and against this argument?

In a statement, Birmingham City Council said, "Pride helps create a city where everyone can live without fear and prejudice."

Why do some people live with fear and prejudice?

Why do you think Birmingham Council thinks a Pride event can help?

How do we make sure in our school there is no fear and prejudice - what can we do about that?

Why is this about No Outsiders?

Which British value is this about?

Do you want this assembly as a power point with Oracy sentence stems? To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every week, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org

No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 

Andrew Moffat delivers in-school No Outsiders training- watch a short video here 

Register to be a No Outsiders school  (get access to members page with additional resources)

Watch CPD films showing schools teaching belonging