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World Cup in Philly: Brazil tries to avoid Rocky curse; U.S. goes for second win against Australia; start times, Fan Fest details, more

The U.S. faces Australia in Seattle as Philly hosts a Group C match between Brazil and Haiti.

Brazil fans wearing Vini Junior (left) and Galvao Bueno costumes rally on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art Thursday.
Brazil fans wearing Vini Junior (left) and Galvao Bueno costumes rally on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art Thursday.Read more
Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
What you should know

  1. Philadelphia will host its second 2026 World Cup match Friday night, with Brazil facing Haiti (8:30 p.m., Fox).

  2. The U.S. men's national team faces Australia (3 p.m., Fox) Friday afternoon in Seattle, which should offer an all-time World Cup home field advantage. Here are our predictions.

  3. U.S. star Christian Pulisic's status for Friday's game remains a mystery.

  4. Lincoln Financial Field has been renamed "Philadelphia Stadium" for the duration of the World Cup. In addition to five group stage games, the city will host a Round of 16 game on July 4.

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Brazil fans work to avoid Rocky curse again of Philly game

International soccer supporters, be warned — clothe the Rocky statue at your own risk.

The fans of the Ecuadorian national team learned Sunday what many NFL fans already know about draping their colors over the statue of Rocky on the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum.

Ecuadorian supporters fitted Rocky with a yellow La Tri kit, then saw their team concede a 90th-minute winner in its FIFA World Cup group-stage opener against Ivory Coast on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field (aka Philadelphia Stadium).

Photos: Brazil fans take over Philly

Everything you need to know about the World Cup in Philly

  1. Here's what to know if you plan to attend FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill Park in Fairmount — and what you can expect once you arrive.

  2. There are also plenty of other watch parties around the city — and several bars that will be open until 4 a.m.

  3. In other words, you don't need a ticket to a game to be able to enjoy all the World Cup festivities taking place around the city.

  4. If you have a ticket for tonight's game — or any Philly World Cup games — you're in luck, we have a guide for that as well.

  5. For full breakdowns of each team playing in Philly, its national cuisine (and where to find it in Philly), and so much more, click here to read our full World Cup guide.

» READ MORE: Philly World Cup: Schedule, transportation, storylines, controversies, and everything you need to know

— Matt Mullin

Today's World Cup TV schedule

Here is today's schedule of World Cup games and their Philadelphia start time:

  1. U.S. vs. Australia: 3 p.m., Seattle, Group D (Fox, Telemundo)

  2. Scotland vs. Morocco: 6 p.m., Boston, Group C (Fox, Telemundo)

  3. Brazil vs. Haiti: 8:30 p.m., Philadelphia, Group C (Fox, Telemundo)

  4. Turkey vs. Paraguay: 11 p.m. Saturday, San Francisco, Group D (FS1, Telemundo)

— Rob Tornoe

Christian Pulisic’s status a mystery ahead of USMNT-Australia

There was no surprise news about Christian Pulisic from U.S. men’s soccer team manager Mauricio Pochettino in his news conference before Friday’s game against Australia (3 p.m., Fox29, Telemundo 62). Pochettino did not rule the star playmaker in or out, and that was not surprising.

“As you know, he was training in an individual way the whole week,” Pochettino said. “But like always, I think tonight, the day before the game, we have a meeting with our medical area, and we will assess the whole group, the players, and tomorrow we will communicate all the things that we can agree tonight.”

Pulisic was seen briefly at the start of Thursday’s practice, then headed off to work on his own. When he arrived, he wasn’t wearing the sleeve over his injured left calf that he sported on Wednesday. But after a few minutes, he sat down on a bench by the sideline and put it on.

Brazil vs. Haiti: How to watch and stream

The second of six World Cup matches will take place Friday night in Philadelphia, with Brazil taking on Haiti (8:30 p.m., Fox) in Group C action.

Calling the game on Fox tonight will be veteran soccer announcer Ian Darke, joined by former U.S. men's national great Landon Donovan. Natalie Gedra will handle reporting at Philadelphia Stadium, otherwise known as Lincoln Financial Field.

Brazil vs Haiti

  1. Time: 8:30 p.m. Philly time

  2. Location: Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field)

  3. TV: Fox (Ian Darke, Landon Donovan)

  4. Spanish: Telemundo (Luis Omar Tapia, Diego Balado)

  5. Streaming: Tubi, Fox One

— Rob Tornoe

Philadelphia 2026 World Cup schedule

Philadelphia was the star during its first 2026 World Cup match, which featured an Ivory Coast upset in front of a re-branding Lincoln Financal Field filled with Ecuador fans.

Philadelphia Stadium, as it's called during the tournament, will host five more World Cup games, including a Round of 16 matchup on July 4.

It’s highly unlikely the U.S. will end up in Philly for that game, but it’s not impossible. Here’s what would need to happen.