Erling Haaland stepped off the plane in Norway cradling a stuffed raccoon clutching a bottle of whiskey, and the internet lost its mind. The Manchester City striker, fresh from Norway's quarter-final exit at the 2026 World Cup, had bought the £560 taxidermy souvenir at a western shop called Wild Bills in Dallas, Texas. It was just the latest in a string of viral moments that turned the 25-year-old into a global internet sensation during the tournament.
So what's happening? Haaland, already one of the world's best footballers, spent the World Cup winning over new fans with a series of off-field antics. He walked off the pitch with his head and neck extended and shoulders stiff, sparking memes that compared him to a green onion top. He filmed himself shopping for a cowboy hat, declaring it made him look like a "proper cowboy." He pretended to be his own "social media guy" when a fan approached, telling her to take a photo with him and his producer and ask which one was the soccer star — then saying "No worries, y'all" in an exaggerated Southern accent. He also shared a clip of himself eating a huge New York deli sandwich, shaking his head in approval and laughing. And before leaving, he posted a selfie on a bus with a backward cap and sunglasses, writing "Goodbye" with an American flag emoji.
“Why Erling Haaland became an internet sensation at the 2026 World Cup.”
But it was the raccoon that really captured attention. The stuffed animal — officially called a Whiskey Raccoon H-MT-F — was bought at Wild Bills and valued at around £560. Haaland posed with it on the tarmac and wrote on Instagram: "It followed me home." Fans were delighted. One commented, “Man we’re so lucky to have you in this world.” Another said: “Haaland importing a $750 whiskey raccoon from Texas is the most wholesome souvenir flex I’ve seen in a while.”
Haaland has long been known for his eccentric habits: he drinks raw cow’s milk, eats organ meats like liver and kidney, does 1,000 sit-ups a day, takes ice baths and saunas almost daily, and tapes his mouth shut at night to encourage nose breathing. But the World Cup amplified his quirky personality to a broader audience.
For UK readers, Haaland is already a familiar figure as Manchester City’s star striker. But these moments show a different side — a playful, unguarded character that contrasts with his ruthless on-pitch persona. They also highlight how the World Cup, with its global spotlight, can turn athletes into cultural icons beyond their sport. Haaland’s antics generated endless social media chatter and even inspired fans to recreate his stiff-neck walk. His embrace of American culture — from cowboy hats to deli sandwiches — charmed supporters on both sides of the Atlantic.
Q: Where did Erling Haaland buy the stuffed raccoon? He bought it at a western shop called Wild Bills in Dallas, Texas, during the 2026 World Cup. The raccoon is known as a Whiskey Raccoon H-MT-F and cost about £560.
Q: Why did Erling Haaland go viral during the World Cup? Haaland went viral for a series of off-field moments: his unusual stiff-neck walk, shopping for a cowboy hat, pretending to be his own social media guy, eating a giant deli sandwich, and carrying a stuffed raccoon off the plane. Fans found his personality endearing and relatable.
Q: What other unusual habits does Erling Haaland have? Haaland drinks raw cow’s milk, eats organ meats like liver, heart and kidney, does 1,000 sit-ups a day, takes ice baths and saunas, and tapes his mouth shut while sleeping to encourage nose breathing.
What happens next? Haaland will return to Manchester City for the new season, but his World Cup antics have already cemented his status as an internet favourite. Whether he continues to share his quirky side on social media — or buys more taxidermy souvenirs — remains to be seen. But fans will be watching.