World Cup 2026: France fans warn over Rocky statue superstition in Philadelphia | OneFootball

France’s main supporters’ group in Philadelphia has issued a superstitious warning over the city’s Rocky statue ahead of Monday’s France v Iraq match, kick-off 23:00. After a 3-1 win against Senegal, the Bleus can secure qualification with victory against a side seen as the group’s weakest.

According to Le Progres, Les Irrésistibles Français have asked compatriots not to place France shirts or scarves on the statue, pointing to a long-standing local jinx.

A symbol of Philadelphia, the statue stands atop the steps to the Museum of Art. It is often dressed in team colours, but a belief persists that doing so brings bad luck.

In 2015 a New York Giants jersey was put on Rocky, then the Giants were thrashed by the Eagles 27-7. The pattern recurred in 2018 when the Minnesota Vikings were beaten 38-7 by Philadelphia, and continued until 2023 when the Kansas Chiefs broke it.

The supposed curse has resurfaced at this World Cup, last week Ecuadorian fans dressed Rocky in Tri colours, then Ecuador lost 0-1 to Côte d’Ivoire.

The group say locals insist that kitting Rocky out in an opponent’s colours dooms that team, so they urge caution. If the plea goes unheeded and France stumble against Iraq, Didier Deschamps would know where to look.

Source: Le Progres