Erling Haaland’s latest viral moment isn’t a goal but a taxidermy raccoon clutching a whiskey bottle. The Norwegian star bought the “Whisky Raccoon” at a Dallas western store during Norway’s World Cup run, then was photographed carrying it off the plane. Leaning into the meme, he joked the raccoon followed him home and asked fans to name it, sparking global demand for the $750 collectible.
There is no bigger fame in the world than that which comes from being memeable, and Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland is the latest example. Don’t get me wrong: Haaland is a brilliant sportsman, and the many ways he has scored a goal in his career (and especially in this FIFA World Cup 2026) are nothing short of unbelievable.
But more than his football skills, the striker’s good-natured goofiness has made him the apple of the internet’s eye. Here we have a six-and-a-half-foot giant of a Viking, with his long, flowing mane and wall of a physique that could run experienced players down like a bulldozer. You half know that it’s pointless defending against him; he’ll simply just lift you up and out of his way like a week-old pup. Or worse still, use your face to score a goal. Yet the next moment, this force of nature is shitposting on Snapchat, doing K-pop dances with Blackpink’s Jisoo, or simply getting startled by his own reflection while eating at a restaurant. He is a wholesome man by every means (and one of the better faces to represent the sport as a whole), but his silliness simply trumps it all.
So, whether or not you watched the FIFA World Cup 2026 or not this year, you knew right away when Norway lost the quarter-final against England; such are the levels of adulation he received in a matter of days. He simply is a likeable person. And his latest act of likeable whimsy is a little raccoon drinking from a whiskey bottle.
For all intents and purposes, the taxidermied raccoon is only a souvenir. An accessory, if you will (Haaland is stylish like that).
During Team Norway's stay in Texas earlier this month, Haaland made a stop at Wild Bill's Western Store in Dallas, fully embracing the American cowboy aesthetic. He walked away with the expected purchases: a black cowboy hat, leather boots, and a T-shirt that he would soon post on his social media handles. Somewhere between this shopping spree, his attention drifted to the store's collection of taxidermy.
One particular piece caught his eye: a mounted raccoon clutching a whiskey bottle. Equal parts rustic decor and internet bait, the piece was affectionately known as the "Whisky Raccoon". Haaland bought it without much fanfare, though the internet would soon take care of that part for him.
Fast forward to his way back home after the defeat, and the photo of him getting off the plane with a tote bag in one hand and a raccoon in the other went viral. Haaland, naturally, leaned into the joke, posting online that the creature “followed” him back home. He also asked fans for naming suggestions for his newest companion. Predictably, the responses ranged from some creative ideas to completely unhinged jokes, turning an accessory (that probably didn’t fit into his tote) into yet another chapter in football's most wholesome running gag.
Wild Bill's, meanwhile, quickly celebrated the visit on its website, sharing a photograph of the footballer with his latest purchase. Fans rushed to buy the same taxidermy raccoon, reportedly selling out the USD 750 collectable and prompting the store to speed up its international shipping plans as orders poured in from overseas.
Whether the raccoon now becomes a permanent member of Haaland's travelling entourage remains to be seen. Given his track record, though, it would hardly be surprising if the little woodland sidekick popped up again in his next game against Manchester City.