Merlín the duck, the improbable folk hero of Mexico’s World Cup campaign, was denied entry to the stands for El Tri’s group-stage match against Czechia on Wednesday, despite a groundswell of public support and a last-minute invitation to the stadium. The two-year-old bird, transported in a purple-draped crate and escorted by FIFA personnel, was granted access to the Azteca Stadium perimeter to film a segment with broadcaster Televisa, but tournament regulations prohibiting animals from entering venues to safeguard their well-being cut short his evening. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed the duck was permitted only as far as the outer grounds, and the family later told Mexican reporters that Merlín would be “well looked after” outside while they took their seats.

Merlín’s ascent from a street vendor’s pet to a national sensation began barely a fortnight earlier, when he was spotted waddling through crowds celebrating Mexico’s opening victory over South Africa. Wearing a green national team jersey, the duck quickly became a fixture of the capital’s World Cup festivities, accompanying owner Carla Ivette Gómez and her son Cristian as they sold drinks. The phenomenon soon transcended the terraces: Merlín was invited to the presidential palace to meet Claudia Sheinbaum, designated an unofficial FIFA ambassador, and even drew a public request from Plaza Sésamo’s Abelardo Montoya, who called the duck his “distant cousin” and demanded a meeting.

The sudden fame triggered a parallel scramble over commercial rights. At least two third-party applications sought to register the Merlín name and image for exclusive use before Gómez’s own filing, sparking alarm on social media. The Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) moved swiftly to quell the controversy, with its director general stating publicly that “it is a public and notorious fact that Pato Merlín is a mascot of the family of Carla Ivette Gómez, to whom the brand belongs.” President Sheinbaum herself weighed in, calling any attempt to appropriate the image “an abuse.” The institute confirmed the family’s ownership while administrative reviews of the competing claims continued.

Outside the stadium on Wednesday, fans wearing duck hats gathered to glimpse the celebrity bird, and Gómez described the experience as “a very powerful emotion.” International outlets noted the surreal arc of a domestic duck becoming a World Cup talisman, while Mexican media detailed the strict diet and daily walks that sustain Merlín’s urban life. Although the duck could not cheer from the stands, Gómez remained convinced of his talismanic power. “Merlín is a lucky charm,” she said, “and I know that, with him, the Mexican national team will win again today.” The family, finally able to watch the national team live after hundreds of fan requests, left their feathered companion in safe hands as the match kicked off.