'It followed me home': Erling Haaland & his raccoon—story behind a fascinating souvenir

Norway’s historic 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign concluded in the quarter-finals, but star striker Erling Haaland still captured global headlines upon his return home due to an eccentric travel souvenir. When the national team’s flight landed at Oslo's Gardermoen Airport on Monday, onlookers were astonished to see Haaland walking the red carpet while cradling a USD 750 taxidermied raccoon that was mounted clutching a whisky bottle. The Manchester City forward later shared images of his arrival on social media, adding the humorous caption, "It followed me home".

The unusual companion was acquired in early July during Norway’s tournament stay in Texas. Enjoying some downtime, Haaland visited Wild Bill's Western Store in Dallas, where he fully embraced local culture by purchasing a cowboy hat, leather boots, and a T-shirt. He was ultimately drawn to the store's quirky taxidermy, purchasing the popular "Whisky Raccoon". Following his high-profile visit, the store experienced a massive "Haaland effect," causing the item to instantly sell out online and forcing the business to fast-track international shipping to manage global demand.

The eccentric keepsake caps a monumental tournament for Norway, who advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time ever after a historic Round of 16 win against Brazil. Although England later eliminated them in a controversial 2-1 match, Haaland shone as the standout performer, netting seven goals. The iconic raccoon remains the tournament's most memorable souvenir.