Merlín, a duck who became an unexpected fan favorite during the FIFA World Cup 2026, was not allowed to enter the stadium for Mexico’s match against the Czech Republic in Mexico City because of FIFA rules on animals at match venues.
The duck, seen by fans as an unofficial Mexico supporter, travelled to the stadium with his owner Carla Gómez and her son Cristian after gaining wide attention on social media. Many users had urged organizers to allow Merlín and his family to watch the match from inside the venue.
According to international media reports, FIFA regulations do not allow animals inside World Cup stadiums during matches for safety and animal welfare reasons. The restriction meant Merlín could not remain inside the stadium for the game, despite public interest in his appearance.
Duck fan allowed near stadium for TV recording
Merlín was briefly allowed onto the outer grounds of the Azteca Stadium for the recording of a special programme by Televisa, one of Latin America’s major television networks. He was accompanied in a transport crate as fans and media gathered to see him.
Organizers clarified that the permission was limited to the television recording and did not include access to the stadium during the match.
The duck’s appearance became one of the more unusual fan stories of the tournament, drawing attention from football supporters and social media users in Mexico and beyond.
Merlín becomes viral World Cup mascot
Merlín’s popularity grew after he was seen wearing a Mexico jersey and appearing with his family during the World Cup. His owners and fans described him as a good-luck charm for the Mexican team.
Although he was unable to watch the match from inside the stadium, his trip to the venue added to the wider fan culture surrounding the tournament.
Mexico later defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 in the group-stage match, while Merlín’s story continued to spread across social media and international sports coverage.
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