The Rocky statue's curse: A ritual worrying Argentina and Brazil fans

As the 2026 World Cup unfolds, a peculiar superstition known as the "Rocky curse" has gained traction in the United States, particularly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This local belief warns national teams against placing their flags or jerseys on the iconic statue of boxer Rocky Balboa, located outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia is one of the 16 World Cup venues, scheduled to host matches for teams including Brazil, Ecuador, France, and Argentina. The curse, though lacking evidence, has fueled concern among fans after several incidents during past tournaments. A prominent example cited is Ecuador's debut loss to Costa Rica, which some attributed to fans placing a "Tri" jersey on the Rocky statue beforehand.

The legend originated in American sports, particularly the NFL, around 2002. The tradition holds that visiting teams dressing the Rocky statue in their colors before a game are destined for defeat. This belief has been reinforced by coincidental losses over the past 24 years, solidifying the statue's mythical status.

During the current World Cup, the curse has resurfaced. Two Ecuadorian fans reportedly placed a flag and jersey on the statue before their opening match, unaware of the superstition. Their subsequent defeat led to social media blame directed at them. Even fans of other nations, like Brazil, have publicly cautioned against interacting with the statue. In a strategic move, some Brazilian supporters placed an Argentinian jersey at the statue's feet, aiming to transfer the supposed curse to their rival, the reigning world champions.