Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland has unexpectedly driven a surge in demand for taxidermied raccoons. After leading Norway to the quarterfinals in the 2026 World Cup, Haaland was spotted arriving back in Norway carrying a stuffed raccoon holding an empty bottle of booze, a souvenir he picked up during the tournament.

This unusual item caught widespread attention and sparked global interest. Dallas' Wild Bill's Western Store, a supplier of taxidermied raccoons, has sold out of the product and has begun shipping internationally for the first time due to the increased demand. The store acknowledged it never anticipated banking on a Norwegian soccer player’s affinity for stuffed raccoons ahead of the World Cup hosted in the United States.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) addressed the peculiar situation on X, stating there is no rule against flying with a booze bottle-wielding stuffed raccoon but advised travelers to check with individual airlines.

This phenomenon highlights how Haaland’s embrace of American culture during the World Cup has influenced an unexpected market trend.

Sources