Norway striker Erling Haaland may have bowed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the quarterfinals, but it was his unusual souvenir from the United States that captured social media’s attention.
The Manchester City forward returned to Norway carrying a taxidermied raccoon holding a whiskey bottle, prompting widespread curiosity and viral reactions online.
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According to reports, Haaland purchased the souvenir from Wild Bill’s Western Store in Dallas during the tournament. The raccoon, popularly known as the “Whiskey Raccoon,” is priced at around $750 and reportedly sold out shortly after Haaland’s purchase gained attention.
The store also acknowledged the footballer’s visit, saying he embraced “true Texan style” while shopping during his stay in Dallas.
Why did Haaland buy the raccoon?
Erling Haaland fuelled the online frenzy by sharing a picture of the raccoon on social media with the caption, “It followed me home.”
Although the striker has not publicly explained why he bought the quirky collectible, the post quickly went viral, with fans flooding social media with memes and jokes about the unusual purchase.
The taxidermied raccoon has since become one of the most talked-about off-field moments of the World Cup.
How did Norway’s World Cup campaign end?
Norway’s impressive run came to an end after a quarterfinal defeat to England.
Although he was disappointed in their exit, Haaland was still proud of his teammates’ efforts. Speaking after the game, he stated that the country proved to be able to compete against the best football teams and hoped that the current generation will make itself felt in the upcoming tournaments.
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“We proved that it’s possible to beat one of the biggest teams in the world. We lost to England in the end, but we made them fight for it,” Haaland said, adding that Norway has “more World Cups and Euros ahead.”
The striker ended his first FIFA World Cup stint with a tally of seven goals and became one of the stars of the tournament despite his team’s elimination.
FAQs
Why did Erling Haaland purchase a taxidermied raccoon?
The player bought the memento at Wild Bill’s Western Store in Dallas while at the FIFA World Cup. The reason for his purchase is unknown, but he humorously noted on his social media: “It followed me home.”
How much did Erling Haaland’s viral raccoon cost?
The taxidermied “Whiskey Raccoon” reportedly costs around $750 and sold out after Haaland’s purchase attracted widespread attention.
