Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Brazil fans cheer on their team during a FIFA World Cup Group C match between Brazil and Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
After a somewhat disappointing draw with Morocco in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Brazilian soccer fans are taking zero chances ahead of their second match in Group C.
The Seleção is set to square off with Haiti in Philadelphia on Friday, and Brazil likely needs to win by a healthy margin to give itself a chance of topping the group and getting the best possible draw in the Round of 32.
In order to ensure that happens, Brazilian fans are making certain that they don’t anger the sports gods, specifically those in Philadelphia, by forming a guard of honor around the legendary Rocky Statue in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Good luck getting a jersey past security 😂 pic.twitter.com/Vd55Zom30u
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) June 18, 2026
Brazilian Fans Defend Rocky Statue To Prevent Jinx
In the past, when opposing teams have come into Philadelphia to play against the city’s sports teams, specifically the Eagles, opposing fans have attempted to deface the statue by covering it in the jersey of their favorite team.
Almost every time they’ve done so, it has ended poorly, with their teams not only losing but doing so in brutal fashion. Most recently, Ecuador fans covered the statue in a national team jersey before losing to the Ivory Coast on a goal in the 90th minute.
Brazil fans took notice, and they took to Instagram with a message: “It’s totally forbidden to put a Brazil shirt on the Rocky statue in Philly!!!!!” one poster wrote in Portuguese.
Visit PA responded by saying, “Countless football teams (as in American Football, not Fútbol — same curse, different sport) have all dressed the Rocky Statue in their colors and gone on to lose,” the Instagram post said. “Ecuador dressed Rocky last weekend. Coincidence? Sadly, history says no.
“Philadelphia can’t wait to host you! (but Rocky does not need your kit).”
You may laugh, but Brazilian fans were quick to heed the warning.
Several fans showed up on Thursday evening to surround the statue with signs that read “Operation Protect Rocky. Attention, do not dress Rocky in Brazil’s colors.”
Only time will tell if their efforts pay off. But you have to credit the fans for trying.