Fans gathered at Lemon Hill Park in Philadelphia on Thursday for a FIFA Fan Fest and World Cup watch party featuring Brazil and Haiti. Juneteenth crowd adds to festive atmosphereJacob Hall reported from the event that one FIFA official described it as “the day to be here,” with Juneteenth bringing crowds out to enjoy the city’s atmosphere and festivities. Organizers promoted the event with signs reading “Welcoming the World with Philly flavor,” while fans took part in food, games and other activities throughout the day. Brazil-Haiti match draws excited supportersThe Brazil-Haiti matchup was the second of six World Cup games Philadelphia is hosting. Fans from both countries shared their excitement ahead of the match. “I’ve been supporting this team since 2014, since the last World Cup,” one Brazil supporter said. “I’m rooting for them. I hope they’ll take it. I mean, never say never, right? They have a good squad.” Haiti fans celebrate historic World Cup returnA Haiti supporter said the trip to Philadelphia was worth it. “It could not get any better,” Wilmene said. “We drove from New York to here, and we were seeing all the Haitians in the world. We were just screaming, ‘Let’s go Haiti, go.’” The supporter added that a Haitian victory would be especially meaningful, noting it is Haiti’s first World Cup appearance since 1974. U.S. advances with win over AustraliaEarlier in the day, the United States defeated Australia 2-0. The U.S. got a boost from an Australian own goal in the 11th minute, and Alex Freeman added a goal in the 43rd minute. The victory secured the Americans a spot in the knockout round. It also marked the first time the United States has won its first two group-stage matches at a World Cup since 1930. The U.S. next plays Turkey on June 25.
Fans gathered at Lemon Hill Park in Philadelphia on Thursday for a FIFA Fan Fest and World Cup watch party featuring Brazil and Haiti.
Juneteenth crowd adds to festive atmosphere
Jacob Hall reported from the event that one FIFA official described it as “the day to be here,” with Juneteenth bringing crowds out to enjoy the city’s atmosphere and festivities.
Organizers promoted the event with signs reading “Welcoming the World with Philly flavor,” while fans took part in food, games and other activities throughout the day.
Brazil-Haiti match draws excited supporters
The Brazil-Haiti matchup was the second of six World Cup games Philadelphia is hosting.
Fans from both countries shared their excitement ahead of the match.
“I’ve been supporting this team since 2014, since the last World Cup,” one Brazil supporter said. “I’m rooting for them. I hope they’ll take it. I mean, never say never, right? They have a good squad.”
Haiti fans celebrate historic World Cup return
A Haiti supporter said the trip to Philadelphia was worth it.
“It could not get any better,” Wilmene said. “We drove from New York to here, and we were seeing all the Haitians in the world. We were just screaming, ‘Let’s go Haiti, go.’”
The supporter added that a Haitian victory would be especially meaningful, noting it is Haiti’s first World Cup appearance since 1974.
U.S. advances with win over Australia
Earlier in the day, the United States defeated Australia 2-0. The U.S. got a boost from an Australian own goal in the 11th minute, and Alex Freeman added a goal in the 43rd minute.
The victory secured the Americans a spot in the knockout round. It also marked the first time the United States has won its first two group-stage matches at a World Cup since 1930.
The U.S. next plays Turkey on June 25.