Merlin, a pet duck dressed in a mini Mexico shirt and the 2026 World Cup mascot, met Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday during her regular morning press conference in Mexico City [1, 2, 3, 4].
The two-year-old duck waddled onto the stage, sat in the seat normally reserved for ministers, and quacked during the event, delighting those in attendance [1, 2, 3, 4]. Merlin gained fame after Mexico’s opening World Cup match victory over South Africa on June 11, 2026, when he wandered among celebratory crowds on Reforma Avenue following Mexico’s 2-0 win [1, 2, 3, 4].
Karla Gomez, Merlin’s owner, described the duck as the “boss” of her streetside beverage business and said Merlin enjoys a balanced diet with a carnitas pork taco on Sundays [1, 2, 3, 4]. Gomez said Merlin usually wears small shoes to protect his webbed feet because he loves to walk [1, 2, 3, 4].
Sheinbaum said, “Today we brought the family that has Merlin the duck as their pet, because he has been a symbol of the World Cup, a symbol of what Mexican families stand for, of who we are as Mexican families, and that is above all else; it is what the world is seeing from Mexico today” [1].
Gomez is seeking to register Merlin as a trademark to support her family, including her eldest son who has a mental illness [1, 2, 3, 4]. The president said Merlin’s family will receive assistance but did not specify details [1, 2, 3, 4].
Gomez said, “We feel very honored to be here with the president, it is an honour for us to stand before you and for the whole world to see the beautiful side of Mexico” [1].
