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Merlin the Duck Becomes Mexico’s Viral Unofficial World Cup Mascot

The street‑vendor pet has turned Mexico City scenes into a feel‑good symbol, opening small promotional opportunities for his owner.

People use their phones to record Merlin, a duck, wearing a Mexico national football team ('El Tri') jersey that shot to fame after a chance encounter on Reforma Avenue went viral following the FIFA 2026 match between Mexico and South Africa, at Alameda Central in Mexico City, Mexico, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Paola Garcia
Merlin, a duck, wearing a Mexico national football team ('El Tri') jersey that shot to fame after a chance encounter on Reforma Avenue went viral following the FIFA 2026 match between Mexico and South Africa, walks in Alameda Central in Mexico City, Mexico, June 16, 2026.
Merlin, a duck wearing a Mexico national football team ('El Tri') jersey, that shot to fame after a chance encounter on Reforma Avenue went viral following the FIFA 2026 match between Mexico and South Africa, walks in Chinatown in Mexico City, Mexico, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Paola Garcia
Merlin, a duck, wearing a Mexico national football team ('El Tri') jersey that shot to fame after a chance encounter on Reforma Avenue went viral following the FIFA 2026 match between Mexico and South Africa, stands next to a ball in Mexico City, Mexico, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Paola Garcia

Overview

  • Footage of Merlin, a two‑year‑old domesticated duck wearing a miniature Mexico jersey and socks, went viral after Mexico’s opening 2-0 World Cup win and racked up millions of views online.
  • Merlin regularly accompanies street vendor Carla/Karla Gómez and her son Cristian through Mexico City landmarks such as Alameda Central, the Palace of Fine Arts and the Zócalo, where he is already a local celebrity.
  • Fans have asked for the duck at matches and frequently stop the family for selfies, turning Merlin into an unofficial, widely shared symbol of fan excitement.
  • One outlet reported that Gómez and Merlin met FIFA representatives to film promotional content and pose for photos, but that meeting is sourced to a single report and should be seen as a limited development.
  • The viral moment has brought immediate media attention and small commercial opportunities to the family while highlighting how social media can lift ordinary street life into global attention during a major sporting event.