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Authorities across several European countries braced for unrest ahead of Thursday night's World Cup quarter-final between Morocco and France, which saw Les Bleus eliminate the Atlas Lions with a 2-0 victory. Despite extensive security measures put in place in anticipation of post-match celebrations, the evening unfolded very differently across Europe, ranging from a largely peaceful Paris to scattered unrest in the Netherlands and violent clashes in London.
Paris: Heavy security, but celebrations remain peaceful
French authorities had classified the match as high risk, prompting Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to warn that any disorder would face «zero tolerance». A major police operation was deployed across the country, with around 20,000 officers mobilized, including thousands in Paris.
France-Maroc: une nuit "sans heurt" à Paris après la victoire des Bleus pic.twitter.com/mmraThymLh
— BFM (@BFMTV) July 10, 2026
Yet, according to BFM TV, the capital experienced a «rather calm» night, with police describing it as «without incident». French and Moroccan supporters celebrated side by side on the Champs-Élysées, while only a handful of isolated incidents were reported elsewhere, notably in Grenoble.
The Officiers et Commissaires de police (SCSI) thanked supporters from both countries, saying they had «shown the world that football can bring people together without clashes or violence» and praised the security operation for allowing the match to become «a positive image of what our country knows how to do: celebrate, protect and unite».
Qui a dit que se serait l’émeute à Paris hier soir ? Si cela avait été l’Algerie ou la Tunisie, ok. Mais le Maroc est un pays ami depuis fort longtemps. Beaucoup de marocains font leurs études en France, travaillent en France et créent des sociétés entre le Maroc et la France.…
— ur2cly (@ur2cly) July 10, 2026
Netherlands: Preventive measures fail to stop scattered unrest
Dutch cities also prepared for large gatherings after Morocco's match. Police described the atmosphere during the game as festive, but several incidents erupted after the final whistle.
According to NOS, eight people were arrested in Amsterdam, where fires were lit and fireworks were thrown at police in the Osdorp district. Authorities also issued around 220 traffic fines for offences including speeding, running red lights and driving on tram tracks.
In The Hague, four people were arrested after allegedly throwing glass bottles at police, while two more arrests were made in Utrecht for disturbing public order. Fires were reported in the Overvecht district, and fireworks were allegedly thrown into a vacant house, causing a small blaze. In Rotterdam, authorities described the atmosphere as «generally quite good», although several city-center streets had been closed as a precaution.
London: Unexpectedly violent clashes
Unlike France, where security concerns had been widely anticipated, London was not considered the main focus of post-match unrest. Yet the British capital witnessed some of the night's most serious violence.
Police officers got chased by Moroccans fans Morocco after losing to France in round of 8 riot in London Edgware Road one police officer down got rushed to hospital I hope he survived pic.twitter.com/TjlrB1KMHH
— Zonjy (@zonjy_) July 10, 2026
According to The Telegraph, citing the Metropolitan Police, a police officer was hospitalized after being struck in the head with a glass bottle during clashes on Edgware Road, where crowds blocked traffic before throwing bottles, fireworks and other objects at officers.
Moroccans fans riots in London after losing to France one police officer rushed to hospital hope he survived fans chased police officer who ain’t got riot gears or protective shields
— Rabindra. ? (@rabindraX238) July 10, 2026
デュプランティエ 暴風警報pic.twitter.com/USBuSqemwm
Riot police were deployed to restore order and four people were arrested. Images shared on social media showed broken glass scattered across the street, supporters climbing telephone boxes and traffic lights, and fireworks being set off as police pushed crowds back. The road was eventually reopened around 1 a.m.
