#MerlinTheDuck is the hashtag for Merlín, a two-year-old Mexican domestic duck who became El Tri’s unofficial mascot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after appearing in a tiny green Mexico jersey during the host nation’s opening win. Within days he had been to the presidential palace, been turned away at the gates of Azteca Stadium under FIFA’s no-animals rule, and had his name registered as a trademark following a pile-up of opportunistic filings.
Quick Facts
- Species / age: Domestic duck, two years old
- Owner: Carla Gómez, a Mexico City street beverage vendor
- Origin platform: TikTok / Instagram clips from El Tri’s opening World Cup match
- Peak moment: Turned away at Estadio Azteca (June 24, 2026) ahead of Mexico vs. Czech Republic
- Trademark: Registered by Gómez with the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI)
- Broadcaster involvement: Filmed a Televisa segment at the Azteca grounds outside match hours
Origin
Merlín first went viral during Mexico’s opening group-stage World Cup victory, when clips of him waddling around Mexico City neighbourhoods in a small green Mexico jersey started re-circulating on TikTok. Within about two weeks he had become a national talking point — visiting the presidential palace, appearing on breakfast television, and picking up brand sponsorships.
What Happened
On June 24, 2026, Gómez brought Merlín to Estadio Azteca ahead of Mexico’s group-stage match against the Czech Republic. Crowds outside the stadium mobbed the pair, and Mexican broadcasters covered his arrival live. But FIFA’s regulations prohibit live animals from entering match venues on animal-welfare grounds, and organisers refused entry. He watched the game elsewhere.
Days later, Televisa negotiated with FIFA to bring Merlín back for a promotional segment shot on the Azteca grounds under strict security, effectively closing the loop on the “duck at the stadium” storyline.
The Trademark Row
Merlín’s virality created an immediate rush of trademark opportunism. At least two applications were filed with the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) seeking exclusive commercial rights to the name before Gómez filed her own. Reporting from Mexico News Daily said Gómez’s application ultimately prevailed, giving her control of merchandising and licensing.
Cultural Impact
Merlín slotted into a long-running World Cup tradition of unofficial national mascots — the human or animal figures that fans latch onto in parallel to the tournament’s marketing. Coverage in Today, ABC News and Fortune framed him as Mexico’s answer to the tournament’s official mascots, and he became a stress-test case for #MilkshakeDuck discourse: an internet-beloved figure whose commercial afterlife was actively negotiated rather than left to chance.
Sources
- https://fortune.com/2026/06/25/merlin-duck-mexico-world-cup-trademark-azteca-ban/
- https://openthemagazine.com/sports/merlin-mexicos-luckiest-duck-was-almost-banned-from-the-world-cup-heres-what-happened
- https://abcnews.com/Lifestyle/wireStory/merln-duck-takes-trip-stadium-fifa-rules-mexico-134186961
- https://mexiconewsdaily.com/lifestyle/merlin-world-cup-duck-registered-trademark/
- https://www.today.com/popculture/news/merlin-the-duck-team-mexico-world-cup-rcna351648
- https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/world-cup-merlin-the-duck-takes-a-trip-to-the-stadium-fifa-rules-mexico-match