France vs Iraq: between the Rocky curse and the threat of thunderstorms, Les Bleus are surrounded by uncertainty ahead of their second match of the 2026 World Cup.
Just hours before kickoff in Philadelphia, two topics are dominating discussions among French supporters. The first borders on superstition. In the city of Rocky Balboa, dressing the famous Rocky statue in a team’s colors is widely considered a bad omen. Several French fans have therefore urged fellow supporters on social media to avoid placing any French jerseys or scarves on the monument before the game.
Storms and Superstition Before Kickoff
The second concern is far more tangible: the weather. Thunderstorms are forecast in Philadelphia on Monday and could disrupt the match. Under the 2026 World Cup regulations, strict safety protocols apply whenever lightning is detected near a stadium, including the possibility of a temporary suspension of play to protect players and spectators.
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For Didier Deschamps’ side, the objective remains unchanged: build on the 3-1 victory over Senegal and move closer to qualification for the Round of 32. The question is whether France will also have to contend with unpredictable weather conditions—and the enduring legend of Rocky.
🥊 PAS TOUCHE À ROCKY ! ❌
À tous les Français présents à Philadelphie 🇺🇸 : on vous invite à la plus grande prudence… Ne mettez surtout pas de maillot ou d'écharpe des Bleus sur la statue de Rocky !
Ici, la superstition locale est formelle : habiller Rocky aux couleurs de… pic.twitter.com/QkENSRtmHe
— 𝙸𝚛𝚛𝚎́𝚜𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝙵𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚌̧𝚊𝚒𝚜 ⭐️⭐️ (@IF_Supporters) June 20, 2026
As anticipation grows, supporters will be hoping that neither superstition nor storms can stand in the way of another important victory for Les Bleus on the road to the knockout stages.
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