The World Cup's breakout star is a duck in a tiny Mexico jersey
The FIFA World Cup is less than 24 hours old, and the internet has already found its main character.
Not a striker. Not a goalkeeper. Not even one of the tournament's many celebrity attendees.
A duck.
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Following Mexico's 2-0 opening-day victory against South Africa, social media users quickly became obsessed with a video of a duck waddling through crowds in Mexico City while wearing a tiny Mexico jersey. (And no, it's not AI.) In a tournament known for producing unforgettable moments, the bird's appearance immediately earned it an unlikely place in the online conversation.
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The clip spread across social media, with fans crowning the feathered supporter everything from the "most famous duck in Mexico" to the tournament's MVP. Given that El Tri opened its World Cup campaign with a win, it's hard to argue with the duck's track record so far.
The tiny jersey-wearing mascot emerged amid a day of celebrations that stretched far beyond the action on the pitch. As Mexico supporters flooded the streets after the victory, videos of fans from different countries celebrating together quickly became some of the tournament's most wholesome moments.
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Clips circulating online showed Mexican fans welcoming South Korean supporters with chants of "BTS," impromptu rounds of "Gangnam Style," and plenty of tequila. In one viral video, fans from both countries could be seen raising shots together, turning a World Cup game into an international friendship summit.
All in all, the vibes were undefeated.
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The cultural exchange between Mexico and South Korea also produced the World Cup's very first meme, featuring a Korean fan wearing a sombrero.
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The camaraderie between South Korea and Mexico wasn't limited to the stands. During the tournament's opening ceremony, EJAE, the singer behind KPop Demon Hunters' Oscar–winning hit "Golden," performed the World Cup anthem "DNA" alongside Italian singer Andrea Bocelli.
That's one of the reasons the World Cup remains such a uniquely online event. Every tournament produces its share of highlights and heartbreak, but it also creates viral side stories that take on a life of their own. Sometimes it's a fan. Sometimes it's a celebration. And sometimes it's a duck wearing a soccer (sorry, fútbol) jersey.
With more than a month of matches still ahead, the internet will almost certainly find new heroes. For now, though, the World Cup belongs to one very fashionable duck.
Topics Viral Videos FIFA World Cup
Crystal Bell is the Digital Culture Editor at Mashable, where she leads coverage of the creator economy, internet culture, and digital life. Her work focuses on the people, platforms, and communities shaping modern entertainment, from YouTube creators and livestreamers to fandoms, social media trends, and the evolving relationship between technology and culture. She also oversees the Mashable 101, the publication's annual list recognizing the internet's most influential creators.
Previously, she was the entertainment director at MTV News, where she helped expand the brand's coverage of fan culture, K-pop, and the internet's most passionate communities. Her work has appeared in Teen Vogue, Rolling Stone, PAPER, NYLON, ELLE, Glamour, NME, W, The FADER, and elsewhere on the internet.
She's exceptionally fluent in fandom and will gladly make you a K-pop playlist and/or provide anime recommendations upon request. Crystal lives in New York City with her two black cats, Howl and Sophie.
