The real mascot of the World Cup? It’s Merlin, Mexico’s lucky duck who walks around in the national team shirt (and makes predictions)

The 2026 World Cup was looking for a story capable of stealing the hearts of fans, and they found it in the most unthinkable way possible among the populated streets of Mexico City. Alongside the three official FIFA mascots, the Mexican public has elected their undisputed idol by popular acclaim. His name is Merlin, he is two years old and is a domestic duck who has become a global celebrity with clicks and shares on social media. With a naturalness worthy of a Hollywood star, this bizarre bird moves undisturbed among the cheering fans and has literally transformed into the country’s most loved lucky charm.

From the soda cart to the world stage

Merlin was originally welcomed into the house as a gift for little Cristian. Every weekend, the bird followed the family to man a mobile cart of water and cold drinks. His presence had become a real local attraction: by proudly positioning himself near the bottles, Merlin attracted the curiosity of passers-by, proving to be an infallible commercial right-hand man to increase the day’s sales.

Every weekend, the duck followed him and his mother Karla Ivette Gómez in the historic center of the capital, positioning himself next to their mobile cart selling drinks and water. With his presence, Merlin stimulated the curiosity of passers-by and helped the family economy, but he demonstrated extraordinary resilience and serenity even in the most chaotic urban contexts.

The triumphal parade in Alameda Central with the El Tri shirt

Then, however, something changed. The transition from the anonymity of the squares to international glory occurred last Thursday, on the occasion of Mexico’s debut in the opening match won 2-0 against South Africa. In the midst of the celebrations that paralyzed the Alameda Central and the Palace of Fine Arts area, Merlin emerged from the crowd wearing the official green jersey of the Mexican national team, customized to measure and completed with a pair of protective socks on his paws so as not to get burned on the asphalt.

The footage of the duck walking proudly on the Paseo de la Reforma, not at all frightened by the stadium chants or the flashes of the telephones, went around the world in a few minutes, triggering a real selfie hunt by residents and tourists. Although it’s not natural to see a dressed duck wandering the streets dressed like a footballer, Merlin seems perfectly at home in this football chaos.

The beak’s prediction and the taco reward

The definitive consecration as the official amulet of the fans is linked to a video that went viral. Tested in front of some flags, Merlin used his beak to precisely grasp the Mexican flag, making a winning prediction for the next match against South Korea.

Now treated like a secular deity of football, the bird is pampered by its owners with a very precise routine. In addition to a daily diet rich in fruit, vegetables and proteins, Karla Gómez grants him a special prize every weekend: a carnitas taco which he is fond of, the right reward for the most famous mascot on the web.

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