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Erling Haaland made headlines during the 2026 World Cup by treating his Norway teammates and support staff to an extravagant $10,000 shopping spree at a renowned western store in Dallas. The Manchester City striker splurged on cowboy hats, customised boots, and eccentric taxidermy souvenirs – including a $750 raccoon holding a bottle of liquor – after leading his nation to a historic quarter-final appearance in the United States.

According to a video shared on Haaland’s official YouTube channel, the private shopping trip took place at Wild Bill’s Western Store soon after Norway’s 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in the round of 32. The players and staff stocked up on cowboy boots, western shirts, hip flasks, and belts, eventually running up a hefty bill. When it was time to pay, Haaland stepped forward and generously covered the entire $10,000 tab, joking in the vlog, “Someone needs to.” To allow the striker and his teammates to shop without interruption, the store owners briefly closed it to the public while Haaland picked out several items and shared laughs with the Norway kit crew.

Among his most amusing purchases were four cowboy hats, and he even learned a local superstition about keeping hats upside down to preserve good luck. One store employee explained, “The superstition goes: you keep your luck in your hat. So if I put my hat this way, my luck runs out.” Haaland also bought a $750 stuffed raccoon clutching a liquor bottle and spent another $900 on two stuffed squirrels, one amusingly dressed as a sheriff. Later, he posted a photo of himself disembarking from a plane with the raccoon under his arm, captioned: “It followed me home.”

The cheerful outing added a perfect finishing touch to a remarkable campaign for Norway, marking their first World Cup appearance since 1998. Inspired by Haaland’s goals and charisma, the team captured the hearts of fans across America and became viral sensations for their lively celebrations. Midfielder Sander Berge, who picked up a personalised cowboy hat during the trip, reflected on the experience with delight, saying: “I’m having the time of my life between matches, and then you’re playing the most enjoyable football games ever. Family and friends are here, what a group to do it with, and everyone back home supporting us. It’s special... I think we’re peaking in life... it’s all downhill from here.”

After Norway’s narrow 2-1 defeat to England in the quarter-finals, the squad returned home. Haaland is set to enjoy a well-earned summer break before rejoining Manchester City for pre-season training. The club now begins a new chapter under Italian manager Enzo Maresca, following a decade of unprecedented success under Pep Guardiola, who departed at the end of last season.