90,000 in Norwegian Capital Welcome World Cup Heroes Home – Haaland's Raccoon Photo Sparks Buzz

2026 World Cup Key News

Central News Agency Report

(CNA Oslo, 13th – comprehensive foreign media report) Norway's national team made history at the World Cup by reaching the quarterfinals before returning home, where approximately 90,000 people gathered in the capital Oslo to welcome the players.

Meanwhile, star player Erling Haaland has once again sparked widespread discussion by uploading a photo to social media showing him arriving at the airport holding a raccoon taxidermy.

According to AFP, Norway, led by Haaland, lost 1-2 to England after extra time in the quarterfinal match held on the 11th in Miami, USA, eliminating them from the tournament. Nevertheless, this marks Norway's best-ever performance in World Cup history.

Upon the team's arrival, crowds gathered at the square in front of the Royal Palace in Oslo's city center to perform the now-famous 'Viking Row' celebration.

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway participated in the event, leading the celebrations by playing the drums. As the heir to the throne of the 5.6 million-person Kingdom of Norway, he also attended Norway's match in Miami on the 11th.

Martin Odegaard, captain of the Norwegian national team and midfielder for Premier League's Arsenal, told Norway's public broadcaster NRK: 'It's truly incredible to see how much support we have, knowing the entire nation is behind us.'

He added, 'It's really amazing.'

Haaland, the forward for Premier League's Manchester City, scored seven goals in this World Cup. He arrived in Norway earlier today and shared photos on his personal social media of stepping off the plane, showing him holding a raccoon taxidermy, with the raccoon clutching a whiskey bottle in its hand.

This raccoon is a souvenir Haaland brought back from the United States. In his post, he wrote: 'He came home with me.'

According to Business Insider and The New York Times, the raccoon came from 'Wild Bill's Western Store,' a family-run shop in Dallas, priced at $750 (approximately NT$24,000). The shop owner said Haaland purchased it with his own money.

The store previously announced on Instagram that Haaland visited in early July. Currently, the raccoon taxidermy is sold out in-store, with a sign reading 'Restocking Soon' posted on-site.

NRK reported that Haaland could not attend the celebration event due to prior flight arrangements. (Intern translator: Chen Xiangyun / Proofreader: Yang Zhaoyan) 1150714

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