Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:11pm on 19 Jun 2026,Friday Sports
Merlin is a two-year-old domesticated duck from Mexico City who has become one of the most unexpected stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Dressed in a miniature Mexico national team jersey and custom socks, Merlin went viral after appearing among fans celebrating Mexico’s opening 2-0 victory over South Africa. Videos and photos of the duck wandering through jubilant crowds on Reforma Avenue spread rapidly across social media, prompting many supporters to label him Mexico’s unofficial World Cup mascot. Owned by street vendor Karla Gómez and her son Cristian, Merlin was already a local attraction in Mexico City. His popularity has since exploded, with fans lining up for selfies and media appearances, turning the feathered supporter into a national sensation.
