Erling Haaland spent $10,000 on cowboy apparel and Texas-themed souvenirs during his first World Cup trip in the United States — though the Norway forward reportedly passed on bourbon shots and line-dancing lessons during a stop at one of Dallas’ best-known western outfitters.
The Manchester City striker became a major favorite among American soccer fans as he helped guide Norway to the quarterfinals in the country’s first World Cup appearance of the century.
Haaland returned home after Norway’s 2-1 defeat to England, but not before strengthening his profile as a US fan favorite and collecting a haul of mementos from his time traveling across America.
During the middle of the tournament, Haaland joined several Norway teammates and staff for a private shopping visit to Wild Bill’s Western Store in Dallas. The shop has long been a “common stop” for famous visitors including Chuck Norris and Arnold Schwarzenegger, but co-owner Julie Newport told the Daily Mail: “We had no idea what to expect [from Haaland and Co].”
The Norway group picked up cowboy boots, western shirts, hip flasks, belts, buckles and cowboy hats, eventually running up a $10,000 total — which Haaland covered himself. “Someone needs to,” he joked in a YouTube vlog documenting the outing.
Haaland’s own purchases included a T-shirt reading “Y’all can kiss my Dallas” and four cowboy hats — three suited for winter and one for summer — with at least one featuring the “EH9” logo. “I need a good hat,” he told store staff.
Erling Haaland is said to have spent $10,000 on cowboy gear and Texas souvenirs during the World Cup
He also spent $900 on a couple of stuffed squirrels, one of which is wearing a sheriff hat
Stale Solbakken’s players went viral for their ‘Viking Row’ celebrations during the World Cup
The striker was also given a crash course in how to store them. He learned to keep hats upside down so they don’t lose their shape or their special powers.
‘The superstition says: “You keep your luck in your hat,”‘ a staff member explained before placing the hat down on the table, brim down. ‘So if I put my hat this way, my luck runs out.’ He also learned how to remove his hat as a greeting to passers-by.
Haaland was joined by Norway security staff, equipment managers and teammates, who all took the chance to buy some souvenirs.
‘It was so fun to see them all having such a great time,’ said Newport, who shut the store doors to stop Haaland and Co being hassled. ‘I gave the kit crew shots of bourbon and these little boots shot glasses, and they were just having a blast. And Erling said: “I’ll take a water.”’
The kitmen also enjoyed a lesson in line dancing, while Haaland later stocked up on cowboy boots after joking with staff: ‘Do you have any Nike ones?’
Perhaps his most eye-catching souvenir, however, was a selection of stuffed animals. Haaland bought a taxidermy raccoon holding a bottle of liquor which cost $750. He also splashed out $900 on a couple of stuffed squirrels, one of which is wearing a sheriff hat, while the other is leaning over a can of Budweiser.
On Monday night, Haaland was pictured stepping off the plane back from the World Cup with the raccoon under his arm. ‘It followed me home,’ the Norway striker wrote alongside the photo on social media.
Since Haaland’s visit, Wild Bill’s has struggled to keep up with demand for his new t-shirt, while the store has now sold out of squirrels. They typically stock squirrels with a cigarette in their mouth and one ‘stripper squirrel’ hanging on to a pole.
The Norway superstar is seen handing a signed jersey to rapper Travis Scott
Haaland attended the Stanley Cup Finals between the Hurricanes and the Golden Knights
He also took a sightseeing tour around New York with his girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen
The store ordered in a new raccoon – this one holding a wine bottle – but that one sold almost immediately. Three more are being shipped in but Wild Bill’s is on the hunt for a taxidermist to meet all the demand.
‘I’ve had so many requests now for these raccoons, so I’m just telling everybody to check back next week,’ Newport told the Daily Mail.
Haaland stopped by just a few hours after Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in the round of 32. He had scored a late goal to seal victory and then spent another 90 minutes shopping.
‘I feel so lucky, and I’m honored that he took a piece of Dallas home with him,’ Newport said. ‘They were fun loving… [Haaland] was very approachable… there was no air about him.’ The striker signed soccer balls, posters and hats while at the store.
Midfielder Sander Berge, meanwhile, bought a personalized ‘El Presidente’ hat that was branded with his initials and jersey number.
‘I’m having the time of my life in between the games and then you’re playing the most enjoyable games of football ever,’ Berge said.
‘Family and friends are here, what a group to do it with and everyone at home rooting for us. It’s special… I think we’re peaking in life… it’s all downhill from here.’
The shopping spree capped a remarkable few weeks for Haaland and Norwegian football. Along with their fans, Stale Solbakken’s players went viral for their ‘Viking Row’ celebrations on the field and in the stands.
Haaland also made the most of his time in the United States. He hung out with rapper Travis Scott, attended Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights, and took a sightseeing tour around New York with his girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen.
Haaland at Katz’s Delicatessen, the iconic New York deli known for its pastrami sandwiches
The striker racked up seven goals and one assist as Norway enjoyed its best World Cup ever
While in the Big Apple, the Manchester City star visited Times Square and Katz’s Delicatessen, the iconic deli known for its giant pastrami sandwiches. Shortly before the World Cup kicked off, he enjoyed a pit stop in Monaco for the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Spider-Man star Tom Holland was also there and the actor dropped Haaland a message to try and meet up. The striker didn’t even reply.
After landing in the US, meanwhile, the striker shone on the field. He racked up seven goals and one assist as Norway enjoyed its best World Cup ever. He carried the hopes of his nation and before the tournament Haaland told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s pressure, of course, but I like that.
It was Norway’s first World Cup appearance since 1998. ‘We’ve not been there for a long time so to have the chance to represent your country at a World Cup is special,’ Haaland added.
‘That’s what you want as a player. People expect things from us and from me. That’s normal. I just focus on my job and try to deliver.’
