Merlin the duck becomes Mexico's unofficial World Cup mascot
- Merlin, a 2-year-old domesticated duck, became Mexico's viral unofficial World Cup mascot after parading through Mexico City wearing a team jersey during celebrations.
- The duck's fame ignited last week on Reforma Avenue following Mexico's 2-0 victory over South Africa, surprising owner Karla Gomez, who sells beverages with her son Christian.
- Channeling the spirit of Paul the Octopus, Merlin recently predicted a Mexico victory over South Korea by selecting flags, with Gomez saying, "We never imagined he'd become such a sensation."
- On Monday, Gomez and Merlin met FIFA representatives to film a commercial ahead of Mexico's match against South Korea in Guadalajara on Thursday, June 18.
- Mexico is staging the World Cup for the third time after hosting in 1970 and 1986, with the family hoping Merlin brings luck before facing the Czech Republic on June 24.
20 Articles
20 Articles
The three official mascots of the 2026 World Cup were joined by an unexpected protagonist: a white duck that stole the attention of the fans and even aroused the interest of FIFA, which came to communicate with the owner of the feather, already become a sensation.The Canadian moose Maple, the bald eagle Clutch and the jaguar Zayu joined Merlin, a white duck of just two years that was tamed by its owner, Kathia Gómez. Together with her son Cristi…
The Independent
The Independent (US)How Merlin the duck became Mexico’s viral World Cup ‘mascot’
Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez may have scored for Mexico, but Merlin the duck stole the show
In the Zócalo capitalino, a guest stole the looks, applause and even the reflectors of FIFA Fan FestTM. It was not a football star or an international celebrity. Merlin, the duck that became a network phenomenon and now boasts a new title: distinguished ambassador of the festival. With his green sweater well placed and walking like a whole world figure, the most famous bird in Mexico was waved by hundreds of fans who did not miss the opportunity…
How this street duck became Mexico’s unofficial World Cup mascot
The World Cup is officially up and running, bringing fans from across the world together for the globe’s largest sporting event. But in Mexico, fans are cheering more than the players. Following the inaugural match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, fans took to the streets to celebrate the victory of “el Tri”—Mexico’s national team— on national soil. Among the crowds walking around the city, a duck wearing a Mexican jersey was caug…
Merlin’s fever, the Mexican duck that became a sensation during the 2026 World Cup, already crossed borders and reached Vancouver, Canada. In a video shared in networks shows decorated geese – known as “porch geese” – in a Canadian Tire store dressed in T-shirts of the 2026 World Cup and reasons for the tournament, showing the global impact of the tricolor bird. It is worth mentioning that geese are part of a Canadian tradition of decorating hom…
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