El Pato Merlín, a viral duck and unofficial 2026 FIFA World Cup mascot, visited President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace on June 22, 2026 [1].
The visit highlights the intersection of digital culture and government outreach during a major international sporting event. By inviting a social media phenomenon into the presidential morning press conference, known as la Mañanera, the administration sought to engage the public through a light-hearted gesture [4, 5].
Merlín arrived at the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City accompanied by two owners, Karla Ivette Gómez and her son Cristian [2, 3]. The duck has gained significant popularity across social media platforms, where fans adopted the bird as a non-official representative for Mexico during the tournament [4].
Reports regarding the interaction between the bird and the president vary. Vanguardia said that Merlín pecked President Sheinbaum after she greeted the animal [6]. However, Razon said that the duck arrived at the conference and was received without incident [1].
The presence of the animal at the daily briefing served as a momentary diversion from the typical political agenda of the National Palace. The invitation was extended by the president herself to capitalize on the animal's status as a symbol of national enthusiasm for the World Cup [5].
“El Pato Merlín, a viral duck and unofficial 2026 FIFA World Cup mascot, visited President Claudia Sheinbaum”
The invitation of a viral mascot into a formal state briefing demonstrates a strategic use of 'soft power' and digital trends to humanize the presidency. By aligning the administration with a grassroots cultural phenomenon, the government leverages the positive sentiment surrounding the 2026 World Cup to maintain public visibility and relatability.
