Meet Merlin the duck, a Mexico City streetside regular turned World Cup mascot
The duck’s viral photos drew millions of views as Mexico celebrated its World Cup-opening win, and his family hopes he keeps bringing luck.
- On Monday, a 2-year-old duck named Merlin became an unofficial World Cup mascot in Mexico City, dressed in a Mexican national soccer team jersey that captured fans' hearts.
- Following Mexico's World Cup-opening victory against South Africa last Thursday, images of Merlin parading through Mexico City went viral, racking up millions of views across social media.
- Carla Gomez, who sells water from a cart with her son Cristian, said the duck was already a local celebrity. "He is always with us; we never imagined he'd become such a sensation," she added.
- Rain or shine, Merlin accompanies the family through landmarks including Alameda Central and the Palace of Fine Arts, attracting delighted greetings and eager photo requests from passersby.
- Mexico is staging the World Cup for the third time after hosting in 1970 and 1986, and the family hopes their feathered supporter will continue bringing luck to the host nation.
70 Articles
70 Articles
Soccer-Merlin the duck: From Mexico City streets to World Cup stardom
MEXICO CITY, June 16 (Reuters) – A domesticated duck named Merlin, sporting a miniature Mexico shirt and custom duck socks, has waddled his way into the hearts of football fans, becoming an unlikely unofficial mascot for the country’s World Cup campaign. Merlin’s fame was ignited during street celebrations following the co-hosts’ 2-0 victory over South Africa in last week’s World Cup opening game. As fans gathered to cheer Mexico’s goals, the …
The focus of the World Cup is not only on footballers. In Mexico City, a duck is now making a career. A Ghanaian national player is not allowed to go to Canada. And the Bavarians apparently bring a Moroccan.
Merlin, the World Cup Duck, may be the Mexican team's biggest fan
Mexico’s World Cup opener last week produced goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez, but an unlikely figure has become the tournament’s early breakout star: a duck named Merlin. Dressed in a green Mexico jersey, socks and sneakers, the 2-year-old duck wandered through celebrating crowds in Mexico City after the home team’s 2-0 victory over South Africa — drawing wide grins, photos and millions of social media views. The images and associate…
Fowl play? Viral mascot takes over World Cup – The Horn News
Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez may have scored the goals, but a duck stole the show. As Mexico celebrated its World Cup-opening victory over South Africa on Thursday, Merlin, a 2-year-old duck dressed in the national team’s colors, became an unlikely internet sensation and the tournament’s first unofficial mascot. Images of Merlin parading through Mexico City, wearing a Mexican national team jersey — and socks — as thousands of fans celebrated…
A duck named Merlin, dressed in the colors of the Mexican national team, has become one of the most unexpected stars of the 2026 World Cup.
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