Raccoon, cowboy hat and rap, how Erling Haaland charmed the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Erling Haaland hit seven goals at the 2026 World Cup, taking Norway to the quarter-finals and captivating the United States off the pitch. According to L'Équipe, his blend of mischief and social media nous made him one of the tournament’s cult figures.

He even flew home on Monday carrying a stuffed raccoon clutching an empty alcohol bottle, a tableau that lit up social platforms. The 25-year-old, 26 on 21 July, has rarely felt more at ease centre stage.

Bleacher Report put his Instagram following at 40.7 million before the event, which is now close to 68 million. AFP reported on 10 July that in Peru, 468 newborns were named Erling and 91 Erling Haaland, many after his last-16 brace to beat Brazil 2-1 on 5 July.

Haaland leaned into the humour too. In a Fox Sports exchange before facing France in the groups, he said they would probably beat Norway and probably win the tournament. Part of that held as France won 4-1, with Haaland rested.

His YouTube vlogs from the United States showed pranks in hotel lobbies and a teasing Texan accent, while a close-up selfie drew 28 million likes. A Kygo remix of a rap he recorded at 16 has reached 4.8 million Spotify plays, and in Dallas he shopped for a cowboy makeover, with TV2 saying the raccoon came from the same store.

Source: L'Équipe