Norway’s dream run at the FIFA World Cup 2026 came to an end in the quarter-finals, but striker Erling Haaland grabbed attention after returning home with an unusual souvenir from the United States. When Norway’s team landed at Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport on Monday, fans were surprised to see Haaland carrying a stuffed raccoon worth USD 750. The taxidermied animal was holding a whisky bottle, making it one of the most eye-catching arrivals at the airport.&nbsp;The Manchester City forward later posted photos of himself with the raccoon on social media, jokingly writing, “It followed me home.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It followed me home 🦝🤣 <a href="https://t.co/IwMhgv0CAb">pic.twitter.com/IwMhgv0CAb</a>&mdash; Erling Haaland (@Erling) <a href="https://x.com/Erling/status/2076752932486156482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3>How Haaland got the raccoon</h3>The unusual purchase happened earlier this month while Norway were based in Texas during the World Cup. During some free time, Haaland visited Wild Bill’s Western Store in Dallas, where he embraced the American Southern culture by buying a black cowboy hat, leather boots and a T-shirt.&nbsp;While looking around the shop, he also spotted the quirky taxidermy display and decided to buy the stuffed raccoon, known as the “Whisky Raccoon,” which is mounted holding a liquor bottle.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-wc-2026-argentina-vs-england-sf-when-and-where-to-watch-live-streaming-in-india-1784109849959">FIFA WC 2026, Argentina vs England SF: When and where to watch live streaming in India?</a>&nbsp;The store celebrated Haaland’s visit by sharing his photo on its website. Soon after, the USD 750 raccoon sold out online, with the shop receiving a surge in orders from around the world and expanding its international shipping options.<h3>Norway’s memorable World Cup campaign</h3>Haaland had plenty of reasons to celebrate after helping Norway enjoy their best-ever FIFA World Cup campaign, as the team reached the quarter-finals for the first time in its history, including a famous Round of 16 win over Brazil.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Live on Zee5

Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-2026-argentinas-maiden-football-world-cup-win-in-1978-has-a-pakistan-connection-1784102409377">FIFA 2026 | Argentina's maiden world cup win in 1978 has a Pakistan connection</a>&nbsp;Norway’s journey ended with a controversial 2-1 defeat to England in the last eight, but Haaland finished as the country’s top scorer with seven goals.&nbsp;Now, it remains unclear whether the stuffed raccoon will travel with him to Manchester for the new Premier League season, but it has already become one of the most memorable souvenirs from the tournament.

Norway may have suffered a disappointing FIFA World Cup 2026 exit, but Erling Haaland grabbed attention by returning home with a taxidermied raccoon holding a bottle of whiskey.

Norway’s dream run at the FIFA World Cup 2026 came to an end in the quarter-finals, but striker Erling Haaland grabbed attention after returning home with an unusual souvenir from the United States. When Norway’s team landed at Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport on Monday, fans were surprised to see Haaland carrying a stuffed raccoon worth USD 750. The taxidermied animal was holding a whisky bottle, making it one of the most eye-catching arrivals at the airport. The Manchester City forward later posted photos of himself with the raccoon on social media, jokingly writing, “It followed me home.”

Norway may have suffered a disappointing FIFA World Cup 2026 exit, but Erling Haaland grabbed attention by returning home with a taxidermied raccoon holding a bottle of whiskey.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Norway's Erling Haaland returns home with a raccoon

Employees at a liquor store in Ashland, Virginia walked into an unexpected scene after Thanksgiving: a very drunk raccoon had apparently broken in and partied solo. The furry intruder was discovered passed out in the restroom, wedged between the garbage bin and the toilet, after helping itself to several bottles of low-shelf liquor scattered across the floor.&nbsp;Samantha Martin, an officer with Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter, was called in to remove the uninvited guest. She joked that the raccoon needed a little time to “sleep it off” before being taken in for “questioning.” According to Martin, the creature had crashed through a ceiling tile before tearing through the store and sampling whatever alcohol it could find—its preferred drink appearing to be scotch, based on the spilled bottles around the scene.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/french-footballer-zidane-kicks-shuttlecock-as-he-plays-mysterious-game-in-shanghai-with-locals-watch-1764763612013">French footballer Zidane kicks shuttlecock as he plays 'mysterious' game in Shanghai with locals - Watch</a>&nbsp;Despite the chaotic break-in, the raccoon showed no injuries after sobering up, aside from what might have been a nasty hangover. Once fully alert, it was released safely back into the wild. The store, which had been closed for Thanksgiving, referred to the incident as its own “Black Friday break-in” and thanked animal control for giving the tiny troublemaker a “sober ride home.” Martin chalked it up as simply “another day” in her unpredictable line of work.&nbsp;“After a few hours of sleep and zero signs of injury (other than maybe a hangover and poor life choices), he was safely released back to the wild, hopefully having learnt that breaking and entering is not the answer," Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter said in its post on social media platform. They also said confirmed the incident and said that the raccoon was fine after taking some rest.

A raccoon’s wild night out as he breaks into liquor store and then passes out in the bathroom

Employees at a liquor store in Ashland, Virginia walked into an unexpected scene after Thanksgiving: a very drunk raccoon had apparently broken in and partied solo. The furry intruder was discovered passed out in the restroom, wedged between the garbage bin and the toilet, after helping itself to several bottles of low-shelf liquor scattered across the floor. Samantha Martin, an officer with Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter, was called in to remove the uninvited guest. She joked that the raccoon needed a little time to “sleep it off” before being taken in for “questioning.” According to Martin, the creature had crashed through a ceiling tile before tearing through the store and sampling whatever alcohol it could find—its preferred drink appearing to be scotch, based on the spilled bottles around the scene. Also Read: French footballer Zidane kicks shuttlecock as he plays 'mysterious' game in Shanghai with locals - Watch Despite the chaotic break-in, the raccoon showed no injuries after sobering up, aside from what might have been a nasty hangover. Once fully alert, it was released safely back into the wild. The store, which had been closed for Thanksgiving, referred to the incident as its own “Black Friday break-in” and thanked animal control for giving the tiny troublemaker a “sober ride home.” Martin chalked it up as simply “another day” in her unpredictable line of work. “After a few hours of sleep and zero signs of injury (other than maybe a hangover and poor life choices), he was safely released back to the wild, hopefully having learnt that breaking and entering is not the answer," Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter said in its post on social media platform. They also said confirmed the incident and said that the raccoon was fine after taking some rest.

A raccoon broke into a Virginia liquor store, helped itself to alcohol, and passed out in the bathroom. Animal control helped the critter sober up before releasing it in the wild

A raccoon with a jar stuck on his head approached two police officers for help in Sandusky, Ohio. The Perkins Township Police Department in Erie County reported the incident.

A raccoon with a jar stuck on his head approached two police officers for help in Sandusky, Ohio. The Perkins Township Police Department in Erie County reported the incident. On Tuesday (Aug 15), Officer McDermott and Officer Waechter encountered a raccoon while getting gas for their cruiser at a local station. The body camera video shows the critter running up to the two officers with a jar on its head. McDermott removed the container from his head as Waecheter helped to hold him down. While calming the raccoon, the officers said, "We're going to help you, buddy. Hold on. It's okay, boy. okay." The raccoon then scampered away from the cops after being released. The Facebook post by the Perkins Township PD said, "Protect and Serve took on a little different meaning while Officers McDermott and Waechter were getting gas last night." The police department has dubbed the raccoon a 'bandit.' Perkins Township police said in their Facebook post, "It's often asked what is a typical day in law enforcement, and here's proof that there is no typical day." Watch the video of the raccoon getting saved by the Ohio police officers. × ALSO READ | Who is Travis King? US soldier who crossed the border to seek refuge in North Korea after facing 'racism' This is not the first time a raccoon got help from the Ohio police after getting its jar stuck on the head. In July, the Painesville Police Department responded to a report of a 'masked bandit with a mayo jar stuck on its head.' It turned out that the masked bandit was a raccoon who was strolling on the street near East Walnut Avenue. WATCH | Kamala Harris heckled, speech interrupted by climate activist amid Hawaii fires Chad Balausky and Steve Ettinger, the officers, successfully saved the raccoon by calming it down and removing the mayonnaise jar from its head. Gill, the intern, moved away from the animal's way as it got free. The Painesville PD Facebook post said, "You never know what you'll see on the night shift." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

WATCH | Raccoon gets help from police after getting jar stuck on its head

China has been accused by the World Health Organisation for withholding information crucial for determining the origins of Covid-19. This has happened after a group of international scientists pointed out that the virus might be linked to wild Raccoon dogs.

China accused of withholding Covid-19 data, study links virus origins with Raccoon Dogs

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FIFA World Cup 2026: Norway's Erling Haaland returns home with a raccoon

A raccoon’s night out as he breaks into liquor store, passes out in bathroom

WATCH | Raccoon gets help from police after getting jar stuck on its head

China accused of withholding Covid-19 data, study links virus origins with Raccoon Dogs