Sao Paulo is used to the rhythms of soccer—the chants, the jerseys, the buzzing energy of Corinthians’ legendary training ground.
But this week, something different rolled into town.
Instead of soccer drills, the fields hosted helmets, pads, and a whole new spectacle: the Los Angeles Chargers touching down to prepare for their NFL season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
By late afternoon, with the sun dropping behind the city’s skyline and favelas rising in the distance, Jim Harbaugh’s squad was already sweating through their first light practice on Brazilian soil.
For many, it was the moment they realized just how far from Los Angeles they really were.
A Warm Welcome from Sao Paulo
The NFL’s relationship with Brazil hasn’t always been smooth.
Last year, when the Philadelphia Eagles faced the Green Bay Packers here, several players admitted they were nervous—about safety, about the heat, about being far from home.
Chiefs star Travis Kelce even complained before later warming to the idea.
But this time around, Harbaugh and the Chargers struck a completely different tone. The coach praised Brazil’s hospitality, saying the welcome his team received gave them an extra boost of motivation.
“Everywhere we’ve gone, we’ve been made to feel welcome,” he told reporters. “That motivates us.”
More Than Just a Game
Harbaugh brushed off concerns about losing a home game in Los Angeles, instead framing the Brazil opener as a huge honor.
A missionary traveler to South America himself, he spoke passionately about the opportunity to play in front of a worldwide audience.
“To be on a Friday night, the only game on, broadcast to Brazil and the world—it’s an honor,” he said.
“We’ve worked very, very hard to be ready for this.”
The Chargers have been planning the logistics for months, sending equipment and supplies down since May to recreate as normal a week as possible.
But Harbaugh admitted that when it comes to Andy Reid’s Chiefs, no amount of planning can anticipate everything.
Facing Their Biggest Test Early
For the Chargers, this game is about more than the spectacle.
It’s about proving themselves against one of the NFL’s most dominant teams.
The Chiefs—led by Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Andy Reid—are looking to bounce back from last season’s Super Bowl loss to the Eagles.
The Chargers, meanwhile, are desperate to snap a seven-game losing streak to Kansas City.
Quarterback Justin Herbert summed it up: “We’ve got great respect for the Chiefs as opponents, and to be able to share this opportunity with them, we’re really excited.”
The Bigger Picture
Friday night’s showdown at Neo Química Arena isn’t just the Chargers’ first test of the season.
It’s also part of the NFL’s broader push to expand its reach worldwide, with seven international games scheduled this year.
For Herbert and his teammates, there’s an extra bit of motivation: last year, the Eagles won in Sao Paulo and went on to lift the Super Bowl.
Could history repeat itself? “I’m hoping that continues,” Herbert said with a grin.
One thing’s certain—when the Chargers and Chiefs take the field in Brazil, the world will be watching.