World Cup updates: Ivory Coast taking on Ecuador in South Philly

A 12-year-old from Chester is gaining national attention during the World Cup, not for her skills on the pitch, but for her artwork.

Ava Nichols' soccer jersey design is now being showcased in art galleries across the country.

Chester 12‑year‑old's World Cup-inspired jersey design displayed in national art galleries

Nichols said the opportunity has been meaningful both personally and creatively.

"I'm, like, making a positive impact on my community, and just people will be able to see my jersey around the world, that feels really good," she said.

Nichols was chosen from hundreds of students who participated in Design FC, a nonprofit that introduces young people to sports and design as a creative outlet.

As part of a World Cup initiative, the organization partnered with 37 nonprofits worldwide, each selecting one young designer to create a jersey representing themselves and their country.

"They each went through the design process and they each created a jersey. We manufactured these jerseys, shipped them around the world," said Oliver Steinglass of Design FC. "Ava was the obvious choice for us, just given her engagement with the program, her talent."

Nichols spent two months developing her design, which features American monuments, a bald eagle and even Exit 6 off Route 320 - a nod to her roots in Chester.
She said the project taught her not only artistic skills but also broader life lessons.

Her jersey, along with 37 others, is currently on display in a New York art gallery and will soon travel to Los Angeles.

For Victor Argothy, following Ecuador's national soccer team has taken him around the world. Now, for the first time, the experience is coming to his own backyard in Philadelphia.

Argothy said he has attended all four of Ecuador's World Cup appearances and keeps ticket stubs as proof of his travels. With the team set to play in Philadelphia, he said the moment feels especially meaningful.

"When I heard they were coming to Philly, that was a highlight for me," he said.

Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador: World Cup matches bring international pride to Philadelphia

A native of Ecuador, Argothy said soccer plays a central role in connecting people to their culture and to one another.

"Soccer is a big part of the culture. I think that's how many people connect," he said.

That sense of connection is shared by fans of the Ivory Coast national team, who are also preparing to support their country locally.

"Oh yeah! It's the number one game in Ivory Coast. Soccer is number one," said Ibrahim Bamba, president of the Ivorians of the Delaware Valley.

The Ivory Coast team recently received an enthusiastic welcome when they arrived in Delaware, reflecting the strong local support from the region's Ivorian community. Bamba said about 1,000 Ivorians live in the Delaware Valley.

Fans say the matches offer more than just competition on the field, serving as a celebration of culture and identity. Language, food and traditions all play a role in the experience.

Ivory Coast's national language is French, while Ecuador's is Spanish-both heard among fans chanting during games.

"You're being exposed to special roots of the culture," said Andres Eguaiza of Fairmount Park.

A number of people in the Ecuadorian community have settled in Upper Darby.

"The iconic food from Ecuador is encenbollado. That's a fish soup with tomato broth. It's very popular with Ecuadorians," said Argothy.

The Ivory Coast is also full of fresh cuisine.

"We have soups like peanut butter soup and palm oil soup," said Bamba.

Traditional Ivory Coast attire includes garments made by hand.

A team jersey might as well be traditional Ecuadorian attire as far as Argothy is concerned.

His friends and family are flying into town to catch the game.

The Ivory Coast will also have a crowd of fans.

No matter which team wins, fans on each side are happy they won't have to leave home to cheer on their home countries.

Hundreds of fans crowded Lemon Hill for the USA-Paraguay match at FIFA Fan Fest, celebrating what many described as a patriotic moment in the birthplace of America.

"I wanted to support my team man. I live in Philadelphia. I'm out here with my boys. America's playing right now! America's playing!" Alban Peroy of Wyncote said.

Hundreds pack FIFA Fan Fest in Philadelphia as traffic frustrates neighbors

"I felt like it was gonna be a lot of people out today of all different cultures, all different colors. Everyone's out to see the World Cup. It's the biggest experience in the world so to have it here in the US on the 250th. I wanted to come out and experience what that was gonna be like," said Matthew McIntyre of Port Richmond.

"It's so cool to see so many people out here. It's very hot out, but that's not stopping people," said his wife, Meredith McIntyre.

But residents in Brewerytown, just blocks from the fan fest, said the event has brought significant traffic problems.

Neighbors reported drivers speeding through residential streets and making illegal U-turns after encountering road closures.

"And I get it, it's not a driver issue. It's a city issue. There's no signage alerting people that there's road closures ahead so they're just doing a loop," resident Nicole Ross said.

Some neighbors have put up their own signs, including several on the 2900 block of Ogden Street.

Councilmember Jeffrey Young said he has asked the Streets Department to install official signage in the area.

"A neighbor had an incident where their 5-year-old almost got hit going through a crosswalk because a car was making a U-turn in the crosswalk," a resident said.

The fan fest is expected to continue drawing large crowds, while residents say they hope the city will address traffic and safety issues soon.

The U.S. has opened its first home World Cup in 32 years with a dynamic 4-1 victory over Paraguay.

Folarin Balogun scored twice in the Americans' historic three-goal first half.

Christian Pulisic had an assist in a stellar first-half playmaking performance for the Americans, who enthralled their Southern California fans with an aggressive attack while streaking to a 3-0 halftime lead.

Gio Reyna ripped another goal in the dying moments of second-half injury time, giving the Americans four goals in a World Cup match for the first time.

The U.S. scored only three goals combined in Qatar four years ago.

Here's a recap from the first match:

The final kick of the game is one of the best goals of Gio Reyna's career.

Maurício cuts the American lead to two with Paraguay's first goal of the World Cup.

A great ball by Malik Tillman and an even better finish by Folarin Balogun, whose second goal of the game gave the USMNT a 3-0 lead just before halftime.

Folarin Balogun does what he does best, as he found space in the box and poked home a cross from Christian Pulisic to put the USMNT up 2-0.

Damián Bobadilla's own goal puts the U.S. ahead in the opening 10 minutes against Paraguay.

Here's the reaction from fans in Philadelphia after going up 1-0.