MEXICO CITY (AP) — Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez may have scored the goals, but a duck stole the show.As Mexico celebrated its World Cup-opening victory over South Africa on Thursday, Merlin, a 2-year-old duck dressed in the national team’s colors, became an unlikely internet sensation and the tournament’s first unofficial mascot.Images of Merlin parading through Mexico City, wearing a Mexican national team jersey — and socks — as thousands of fans celebrated, quickly went viral, racking up millions of views across social media. Overnight, and as if by the magic of the famous wizard who inspired his name, Merlin had captivated the internet.
A duck named Merlin, dressed in a Mexico national soccer team jersey, stands at a cafe next to his caretaker Cristian Gomez in Mexico City, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
“We want to see Merlin in the stadium,” one user wrote. “This duck is already a national treasure,” said another. “The best thing about the World Cup so far,” declared a third.In Mexico City, however, Merlin was already something of a local celebrity.
He’s the baby, the sole heir to all my possessions and now an idol.
Carla Gómez, Merlin’s owner
