Who is Merlin the duck?
Merlin is a two-year-old duck who has seized the imagination of millions of Mexicans when he was filmed walking down the street with his owner while wearing Mexico's green national jersey

Popularity 
Now a viral sensation, FIFA has dubbed him the Mexico's "ambassador" while the team shared an image of him flying over the stadium in Guadalajara, where the national team took on South Korea for its second game of the tournament.

Bakeries sell pastries mimicking the image of Merlin in his green jersey

Family 
Merlin the duck is owned by the Gomez family, who also went viral when an onlooker shot a video of the duck walking through the crowd with its jersey and wings tucked inside.

Karla Ivette Gomez is a 48-year-old street vendor, who never thought Merlin would go viral, while walking down the street with her 14-year-old son Cristian Gomez, who takes care of him

Inspiration for the name
It's the Gomez family's third duck. A client gifted him to them after his predecessor passed away. His name comes from the legendary wizard of medieval mythology

What does he eat? 
The Gomez family carries a bottle of water and change of clothes, and removes the jersey, so he can rest and stretch his wings.

The feathered football fanatic eats fruit, vegetables, crickets, fish, and a taco every now and then

Meeting the President 
Dressed in his green Mexican national team shirt and accompanied by his human family, Merlin – the duck who has become the unofficial mascot of the 2026 World Cup – was welcomed by President Claudia Sheinbaum on June 22 during the morning Presidential press conference was held