Erling Haaland Brings Taxidermied Raccoon Back to Norway After World Cup
https://people.com/erling-haaland-brings-taxidermied-raccoon-back-to-norway-after-world-cup-run-12018605
Full Details: Erling Haaland & His Viral Taxidermied Raccoon 🦝
Source: People.com, published July 13, 2026 | Event: Post‑2026 World Cup return to Norway
✈️ Homecoming Moment
On July 13, 2026, 25‑year‑old Erling Haaland stepped off the plane at Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport after Norway’s World Cup campaign — and was spotted carrying a taxidermied raccoon posed holding a whiskey bottle, alongside his signature white‑and‑maroon Prada bag.
Shortly after, he posted on X: “It followed me home 🦝🤣” — instantly going viral.
🛒 The Raccoon: Origin & Cost
- Name: Officially called the “Whiskey Raccoon”
- Bought at: Wild Bill’s Western Store in Dallas, Texas, during the tournament (after Norway beat Ivory Coast 2‑1 on June 30)
- Price: $750; the item is now sold out on the store’s website
- Design: Mounted on wood, paws clutching an empty bottle (store names it whiskey; some reports note it may actually be Greenall’s wild berry gin)
- Extra: He also bought a custom cowboy hat, snakeskin boots, and a “Y’all can my Dallas” T‑shirt during the visit
📝 Help Name the New Friend
Haaland launched an Instagram Stories poll asking fans to pick a name:
- 🤠 Cowboy
- ⛏️ Ranger
- 🤠 TEX
- 🚲 R.O.W. (Raccoon on Wheels) — likely a nod to Norway’s viral post‑match “rowing” celebration
⚽ World Cup Run Recap
- Elimination: Norway lost 2‑1 after extra time to England in the quarterfinals in Miami on July 11, 2026; Jude Bellingham scored both England goals
- Haaland’s impact: Scored 7 goals in 5 matches, becoming the breakout star of his first World Cup
- Farewell posts:
- “It’s been quite a row, thank you for making it so special”
- “Goodbye 🇺🇸 It’s been emotional”
- Later told AP: “I think this has changed my life, to be honest”
📣 Store Reaction
Wild Bill’s fully embraced the hype: they now display photos of Haaland in their store, and fans have shared buying his cowboy hat and merchandise there.