Erling Haaland returned to Norway this week carrying a taxidermied raccoon purchased during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S. [1].

The unusual souvenir has drawn significant attention following Norway's deep run in the tournament, highlighting the striker's eccentric personality off the pitch.

Haaland was photographed at Oslo Airport on Saturday, July 13, with the stuffed animal [2]. The purchase followed Norway's exit from the competition after a 2-1 quarter-final loss to England on that same day [3, 4].

The striker bought the raccoon at Wild Bill’s Western store in Dallas, Texas [5]. According to reports, the novelty item cost $750 [5].

Haaland described the acquisition as a souvenir from his stay in the U.S. while joking about the animal's presence. "It followed me home," Haaland said [6].

The Norwegian striker, who plays for Manchester City, spent several weeks in the U.S. during the tournament. While the team's journey ended in the quarter-finals, the image of the star athlete carrying a taxidermied mammal has become a viral moment following the match [2, 3].

“"It followed me home."”

The incident underscores the cultural intersection of global sporting events and local tourism. By purchasing a quintessentially 'Western' novelty item from a Texas store, Haaland transformed a sporting disappointment into a lighthearted media moment, maintaining his public image as an unpredictable and quirky figure in international football.