Philadelphia bleeds green. This weekend, it turned yellow.

Why it matters: After years of planning to host the world's biggest sporting event, the globe's gaze fell on Philly — and Ecuador and Ivory Coast fans gave the city its first taste of World Cup fever.

State of play: Ecuador is considered the "sleeper" team of the tournament, but there was nothing sleepy about their fans' presence at last night's 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast.

• Philadelphia Stadium, which seats more than 69,000 fans, appeared near capacity — awash in yellow.
• La Tri's turnout, overwhelming a small contingent of orange and green, was striking, given that only about 15,000 people of Ecuadorian descent live in the Philadelphia region.
• The stadium thrummed every time Ecuador touched the ball — and fell silent when Ivory Coast broke the scoreless tie in the 90th minute.

Outside the stadium: World Cup-goers took a page from Eagles fans, setting up sprawling tailgates throughout the stadium parking lots.

• Car horns blared. Vuvuzelas buzzed. Fans decked out in colorful costumes roamed the streets, stopping to pose for selfies with strangers.
• At the FIFA Fan Fest in Lemon Hill, chants of "¡Vamos, Ecuatorianos!" rippled through the crowd.
• And the day before, Ecuador fans packed the Rocky steps for a massive pre-match rally.

🗣️ In the stands: As one Ivory Coast fan made his way to his seat, an Ecuadorian supporter loudly booed in his ear. The fan laughed it off, just happy to be attending his first World Cup match.

• After Ecuador's frantic push to level the match fell short, an Ivory Coast fan taunted the yellow-clad crowd, chanting "Olé, Olé, Olé!"

Zoom out: Philadelphia's World Cup debut came amid sweltering heat, which peaked around 92 degrees.

• At the Fan Fest, families crowded beneath misting tents, claiming every available patch of shade and fanning themselves to stay cool.
• Others patiently waited in long lines for water or beer.

What they're saying: Not even an ankle injury could keep Gabriel Cobena from experiencing the World Cup.

• The 34-year-old Ecuadorian, who lives in New Jersey, hobbled more than a mile to soak up the atmosphere at Fan Fest before making his way to the stadium with the help of family and friends.
• "We were going to make it work one way or another," Cobena told Axios. "It's every kid's dream [growing up] to go to the World Cup."

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Pennsylvania's message to the world this year: There's a little jawn in us all.

The big picture: The state has poured more than $50 million into selling Pennsylvania to travelers ahead of the summer's big events.

• It has partnered with influencers, set up FIFA fan zones, and even launched a $1.2 million ad blitz to reach the countries whose teams will play in Philly for the World Cup.
• "This is Philly's show, but it's also Pennsylvania's moment," Pennsylvania's deputy tourism secretary, Anne Ryan, tells Axios.

📍 Zoom in: Ryan says Pennsylvania found a common language with each country, from food to history to nightlife.

• Enticing the French was a piece of croissant: Marketers pushed Philly's outstanding Michelin-star cuisine and France's "greatest assist" during the American Revolution.
• For Germany, it's all about Germantown, beer halls and our Pennsylvania Dutch culture.
• In the U.K., fans share the same devotion to their soccer clubs as Eagles fans.
• And for Brazil: The spotlight's on the party — Philly's street festivals and 4am bar hopping.

Between the lines: Pennsylvania wants to show visitors such a memorable time that they're eager to come back.

Here are some ways they're showing the state off:

• Assembling Visit PA's Playmakers — what Ryan calls a "motley crew" of creators, power brokers and innovators who embody Pennsylvania — at this year's biggest events, like the NFL Draft.
• Setting up free World Cup fan zones in Pittsburgh, Reading and Scranton.
• Sending tourism officials to Philly's FIFA Fan Fest.
• Throwing a huge Pennsylvania Day bash there on June 27 with a special lineup of guests and entertainers.

🔍 Reality check: The international spotlight can be a showcase or a magnifying glass, creating opportunities for host states or exposing their shortcomings.

• The special touches are about more than this year, Ryan says. They're an audition for future events, including a potential bid to host the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Signs the strategy is working

⚖️ The slavery exhibit at Philly's President's House must be restored, a federal judge ruled, rejecting the Trump administration's push to remove what it characterized as "improper ideology" from national parks.

• The administration must provide weekly updates about its progress to the judge. (6ABC)

👋 UPenn president Larry Jameson is calling it quits in June 2027. He took over in late 2023 following the resignation of ex-president Liz Magill, the latter of whom faced backlash over her congressional testimony on antisemitism. (DP)

🎙️ Once considered the reputed boss of Philadelphia's mob, "Skinny Joey" Merlino is enjoying an unlikely second act as a cheesesteak guru, podcaster and social media influencer — with help from his much younger sidekick, Joe "Lil Snuff" Perri.

• "Without me, there's no him," Perri said. "Without him, there's no me. It's just a good mix." (Inquirer)

Members of the U.S. Congress are bound for Philadelphia in July to mark the nation's 250th birthday.

Why it matters: Legislators will return to the spot that started it all.

Driving the news: Independence Hall will host a ceremonial event with congressional members on July 2, according to U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle.

The intrigue: It is uncertain who will show up, including whether President Trump will take part.

• The event is not an official session of Congress, so representatives in the House and Senate are under no obligation to attend.
• Plus: Deep-blue Philly isn't exactly a favorite destination of some national Republicans.

Context: In 1776, the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall.

• Then, in 1787, delegates from the Constitutional Convention hashed out and signed the U.S. Constitution there.

Fun fact: Independence Hall was originally built to be the Pennsylvania State House, and it once housed all three branches of state government.

What we're watching: Whether the nation's 250th anniversary has the power to disarm politics for one special day.

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