Palmeiras fans took over the American Dream Mall on Sunday ahead of the team’s first match of the FIFA Club World Cup just across the parking lot at MetLife Stadium.
Posts on social media showed the Brazilian side’s enthusiastic supporters in a food court area of the mall on three different levels chanting, with several seen jumping up and down or waving flags with Palmeiras’ logo and colors on it.
A second video posted on Reddit showed a different angle from down on the lower level as the chants reverberated around the food court area and, what appeared to be, some confused shoppers moving about the jubilation.
It’s the second time that fans of the team have taken over an iconic spot in the New York/New Jersey area.
On Saturday night, a sea of green engulfed Times Square as Palmeiras fans flocked to the popular tourist destination to wave flags and chant in support of their team.
Palmeiras opened the Club World Cup (streaming for free on DAZN) with a scoreless draw against Portuguese side Porto at MetLife Stadium, where even before kickoff, it seemed that the Brazilian club fans were making their presence felt.
Video from inside the stadium showed a large swath of fans in one end zone area waving flags, along with holding up large banners.
The region is expecting a big showing for the Club World Cup, which comes a year before the World Cup comes to the United States in 2026.
During an event last week in Jersey City, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy predicted that 40,000 to 50,000 would be on hand for the match between Porto and Palmeiras, which he described as “really cool.”
MetLife Stadium is hosting nine matches during the Club World Cup, including the semifinals and final of the 32-team tournament.
It will also be the site of the World Cup final in 2026.
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