Why won’t the Packers and Eagles be able to wear green for their opening game in Brazil?

This September, the NFL’s inaugural regular-season game in Brazil will pit the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers against each other. Both teams might be dealing with a significant issue that is unrelated to their travel arrangements, traffic, or the condition of the field.

Josh Jacobs, the running back for the Green Bay Packers, disclosed that the NFL advised players to avoid wearing green during their Week 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo, Brazil.

“You know, they said that the part of Brazil we’re going to, you can’t even wear green at. They said, I guess, something to do with the gangs and stuff.” Jacobs expressed.

The running back continued with, “They said we’re not going to Rio. They was like, ‘Man, it’s one of them places where they probably won’t even let us leave the hotels.’”

Why is there an issue with wearing the color green São Paulo?

The game between the Eagles and Packers in Sao Paulo will take place at Corinthians Arena, which serves as the home stadium for the Brazilian soccer team Corinthians. For the home team their more significant rival is Palmeiras, known for their green uniforms.

According to The Guardian, Corinthians have a policy of not wearing the color green, which is linked to that rivalry with the Palmeiras. In 2021, Corinthians fined one of their players for wearing green cleats during a match, as reported by Reuters. It seems like the ban on such footwear is taken quite seriously.

Since both teams wear green, the Eagles, who are the home team, can’t wear white while the Packers wear green. If the Eagles want to wear a black shirt instead of white, the Packers will have to wear white. But the black jersey comes with a green helmet. It won’t be easy for the NFL to figure this one out. We will have to wait to see what they decide to do. But it appears that green is a no go.