No one could have predicted that the breakout star of the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be a two-year-old duck from Mexico City. Yet here we are, and honestly? We wouldn't have it any other way.
A Duck, a Jersey, and a Nation's Heart
Meet Merlin — a pet duck belonging to Carla Gómez, a street vendor in Mexico City who sells water and soft drinks with her family. Before the World Cup rolled around, Merlin was already a familiar face in the neighborhood, known for tagging along with the family during their workday like the most dedicated unpaid assistant you've ever seen.
But everything changed after Mexico's opening World Cup victory over South Africa. When jubilant fans flooded the streets to celebrate, Merlin showed up fully dressed for the occasion — decked out in a miniature Mexico national team jersey and matching socks. Photos and videos spread across social media almost instantly, and the internet did what the internet does best: it completely lost its mind in the most delightful way possible.
Fans called Merlin a "national treasure." Clip after clip of the tiny, waddling, jersey-wearing duck circulated on X, TikTok, and Instagram, racking up millions of views. In a tournament full of big moments, a duck in a football kit had somehow become one of the most talked-about highlights.
From Street Stall to the Presidential Lectern
If going viral was Merlin's opening act, his second act was somehow even more unhinged — in the best possible sense. The duck was invited to attend a Monday morning press briefing hosted by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico City.
Merlin arrived dressed for the occasion: a green Mexico jersey paired with what can only be described as a power accessory — a FIFA-branded tie. He sat near the lectern as cameras flashed and journalists scrambled to get shots of the nation's most unexpected VIP. In a room typically filled with policy announcements and serious questions, Merlin was unbothered, unbothered, and utterly magnetic.
The images of a duck sitting at a presidential press event are the kind of thing that could only happen in real life, because no screenwriter would dare pitch it.
The Gómez Family and the Duck Who Works for a Living
What makes Merlin's story genuinely heartwarming — beyond the sheer absurdity of it all — is the family behind him. Carla Gómez and her family are working-class street vendors, and Merlin has been part of their daily routine long before any cameras showed up. He's not a prop or a publicity stunt. He's just a duck who goes to work with his family.
That context has made Merlin resonate even more deeply with Mexican fans. He's become a symbol not just of football joy, but of everyday community life — a small, feathered reminder that the World Cup belongs to everyone, not just the wealthy or the famous.
Not Everyone Is Quacking With Joy
Merlin's rise hasn't been entirely without controversy. According to reporting by the Associated Press, advocacy groups representing families of missing persons in Mexico criticized President Sheinbaum for dedicating time and attention to a duck during a news briefing, arguing that more pressing national issues deserved the spotlight.
Additionally, wildlife advocates have raised broader concerns about the trend of keeping ducks as pets and the risk that viral animal moments can inspire irresponsible ownership. It's a fair point — adorable as Merlin is, ducks have complex needs that don't always translate well into a typical pet situation. The AP noted, however, that Merlin appears to be well cared for by the Gómez family, which should go some way toward reassuring concerned onlookers.
Why Merlin Matters
Every World Cup produces its own strange, joyful mythology — the moments that have nothing to do with goals or tactics but somehow define the tournament's mood. Merlin is that moment for Mexico 2026.
He's random, he's funny, he's incredibly visual, and he's wrapped up in genuine national pride. He emerged from a working-class family on the streets of Mexico City and waddled his way to a presidential press room. If that's not a story worth celebrating, what is?
In a world that can always use a little more unexpected joy, Merlin the duck — in his green jersey and FIFA tie — is delivering it one viral waddle at a time.
Long may he reign. 🦆
