Torcedores da Copa do Mundo do Brasil prestam atenção a um alerta ameaçador para evitar se tornarem a mais nova vítima da 'maldição Rocky'

In Philadelphia, statue curses are common knowledge among local fans.

The Curse of Billy Penn was around for decades, and was blamed for some of the biggest losses in Philadelphia’s history.

The Curse of Billy Penn was one of the most infamous to strike the world of sportsGetty

Atop of Philadelphia City Hall stands a statue of William Penn, the city founder. After One Liberty Place opened, the city’s franchises began a pattern of failure to win a World Championship.

The NHL‘s Flyers lost the Stanley Cup Final twice in 1987 and 1997, and MLB‘s Phillies lost the 1993 World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.

The NBA‘s 76ers lost the 2001 NBA Finals, and the NFL‘s Eagles lost three straight NFC Championship games from 2001 to 2003.

Many believe it ended when the Phillies won the 2008 World Series, but now, there’s a new curse establishing relevancy.

Pennsylvania send warning to World Cup nations over Rocky curse

Pennsylvania has issued a warning for any World Cup fans wanting to dress up the Rocky Statue: Don’t do it.

Ecuador became the latest to fall victim to what the Visit PA Instagram account calls: The Rocky Statue Curse.

Before the first World Cup game at Lincoln Financial Field, now known as Philadelphia Stadium due to FIFA’s strict branding rules, Ecuador fans swarmed the city center and placed their jersey on the iconic statue based on the legendary boxing film starring Sylvester Stallone.

Ecuador would subsequently lose their match against the Ivory Coast in the city’s first of six matches.

Both teams hit the crossbar three times before Manchester United‘s Amad Diallo scored the 90th-minute winner.

This has forced Visit Pennsylvania to offer some words of warning.

Ecuador fans swarmed the Rocky statue before their World Cup opener against Ivory CoastGetty Ecuador would go on to lose, forcing Pennsylvania to warn other nations of the ‘curse’Getty

“To the delegations of Brazil, Haiti, France, Iraq, Curaçao, Croatia, and Ghana: Pennsylvania welcomes you warmly and wishes you the best of luck in your upcoming World Cup matches in Philadelphia,” the post on Instagram read.

“As good hosts, we’d like to share some information about a well-documented phenomenon in Philly: The Rocky Statue Curse.

“We regret this communication was not shared before last weekend but, here we are.

“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. Ecuador dressed Rocky last weekend. Coincidence? Sadly, history says no.

“Philadelphia can’t wait to host you! (but Rocky does not need your kit).”

Brazil World Cup fans take heed of warning ahead of Haiti clash

Brazil fans have taken heed of the warning ahead of their clash with Haiti.

The five-time world champions were outplayed in large parts against Morocco in their World Cup opener, needing a Vinícius Júnior 32nd-minute strike to come away with a 1-1 draw.

With a win against Haiti now crucial to their progression from Group C, fans are choosing not to tempt fate and are being told to leave the Rocky statue well alone in order to avoid being cursed.

One Brazil fan group, the Green and Yellow Movement, urged visitors to keep their clothing to themselves.

“ANTENCAO TORCEDOR!” the Instagram post warned.

The translated text read: “It’s totally forbidden to put a Brazil shirt on the Rocky statue in Philly!!!!!”

Brazil were poor in their draw with Morocco and need to beat Haiti next upGetty Ecuador are not the first team to have fallen victim to the ‘curse’Getty

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Over the years, the statue curse has struck several times when opposing fanbases traveled to Philadelphia.

The most recent time it happened was before the Eagles soundly defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

Before the NFC championship game in 2025, Washington Commanders fans placed their team’s gear on the Rocky statue.

That led to them getting crushed by the Eagles 55-23 in a game that was never close. 

San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings fans also messed with the Rocky statue before conference championship games against the Birds, and both games ended in wins for Philadelphia. 

With five World Cup matches left in Philadelphia, it might be wise for soccer fans not to tamper with the Rocky statue. 

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