Norwegian striker Erling Haaland turned heads at Oslo Airport on Monday, July 13, 2026, when he returned from the FIFA World Cup carrying a taxidermied raccoon clutching a glass bottle. The quirky souvenir, purchased in Dallas during Norway’s historic tournament run, quickly became a viral sensation as the national team touched down in Scandinavia following their quarter-final elimination.
The $750 novelty piece, known as the “Whiskey Raccoon,” was bought at Wild Bill’s Western Store in Dallas, Texas, where the 25-year-old Manchester City star embraced local culture during his stay. Haaland shared photos of the taxidermied animal on social media with the caption “it followed me home,” drawing widespread amusement and speculation from millions of fans worldwide.
The off-field humor capped a historic World Cup campaign for Norway, who achieved their best-ever tournament finish by reaching the quarter-finals before falling 2-1 in extra time to England. Haaland spearheaded the team’s historic run with seven goals, including a decisive performance against Brazil in the Round of 16. The national team celebrated their return with an open-top bus parade through the capital.
