Following Norway’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup, striker Erling Haaland returned to Oslo on July 13 carrying a $750 taxidermied raccoon holding a liquor bottle. Purchased at Wild Bill’s Western Store in Dallas, the unusual souvenir has sparked a viral phenomenon, depleting the store’s inventory and driving a global surge in international orders.
The Origins of the “Whiskey Raccoon”
The unusual travel companion, dubbed the Whiskey Raccoon,
made its public debut when Erling Haaland disembarked a team plane at Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport on Monday, July 13. The 25-year-old Manchester City star was photographed cradling the stuffed animal—which is posed to clutch a bottle of liquor—alongside a Dolce & Gabbana Sicily tote bag. As reported by Yahoo Sports, Haaland captioned a photo of the item on Instagram with the phrase, It followed me home.
The item was sourced from Wild Bill’s Western Store in Dallas, Texas. According to Nytimes, the store facilitated a private shopping experience for the Norwegian team on June 30, following their 2-1 victory over the Ivory Coast at AT&T Stadium. Julie Newport, co-owner of the store, noted that the players were given the run of the shop for 90 minutes, during which they were treated to bourbon and lessons in line dancing.
Wild Bill’s Western Store and the “Haaland Effect”
The visit transformed the local business into a global brand almost overnight. Newport told the Los Angeles Times that the store had never previously offered international shipping. Following the media exposure surrounding Haaland’s purchases, they enabled shipping to the UK, Germany, Australia, and Brazil, among other regions.
The demand for the taxidermy pieces in particular has outpaced supply. Newport explained to The News International that the artisan responsible for the taxidermy creations has retired, leaving the store with limited stock. Beyond the $750 raccoon, Haaland purchased two stuffed squirrels—one dressed as a sheriff and another posed to look as though it is drinking from a Budweiser can—which were priced at $450 each.
Cody Newport, who owns Wild Bill’s Western Store, told Fox 4 that they exude the Dallas welcome and southern hospitality, and said that for Haaland to want to come in and hang out is everything.
Cultural Souvenirs and Social Media Impact
Haaland’s embrace of Texas culture extended well beyond the taxidermy. During his visit, he also purchased a Stetson Brenham cowboy hat, python boots, and a T-shirt featuring the slogan, Y’all can kiss my Dallas.
As Fox4news reported, the store owner Cody Newport observed that Haaland had no prior experience with cowboy hats and required a professional fitting during his visit.
The items have become cultural touchstones for fans of the striker, who helped Norway reach the World Cup quarterfinals. While some social media users initially speculated that the images of the raccoon were AI-generated, HOLA! confirmed that the souvenir was authentic. The striker has since utilized his social media platforms to solicit name suggestions for his new companion, with Raccoon on Wheels
(R.O.W.) emerging as a popular fan favorite, according to Yahoo.
Market Consequences for Niche Collectibles
The economic impact on Wild Bill’s has been significant. The store has experienced a wave of customers visiting the physical location to recreate the moment.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Whiskey Raccoon | $750 |
| Sheriff/Drinking Squirrels | $450 |
Whether the Whiskey Raccoon
will eventually join Haaland in Manchester for the upcoming Premier League season remains to be seen. For now, the souvenir stands as a defining symbol of his time in the United States. Despite the retail frenzy, the store’s ability to replenish stock remains uncertain due to the retirement of their primary supplier.
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