Hundreds of Brazilian fans filled the American Dream mall across from MetLife Stadium on Saturday ahead of Brazil’s World Cup match against Morocco, bringing chants, songs and a festival-like atmosphere to New Jersey.
Supporters dressed in Brazil’s signature yellow and green came hours before kickoff, singing, waving flags and kicking soccer balls as they prepared for one of the tournament’s marquee matchups.
The gathering showed the international flavor that the FIFA World Cup has brought to the region, with fans from around the world arriving in New Jersey for matches at MetLife Stadium, officially known during the tournament as New York New Jersey Stadium.
While many visitors spoke different languages, fans said their shared passion for soccer helped bridge cultural and linguistic barriers.