France is preparing for one of the most sensitive matches of the 2026 World Cup. In Thursday night’s quarterfinal (11 p.m. local time), France will face Morocco, but while the winner will be decided on the pitch, French authorities are bracing for what might happen after the final whistle.
2+In Paris and cities across the country, security has been ramped up ahead of the match, following past experience and riots that erupted after previous Morocco matches in international tournaments. Business owners in central areas have already begun boarding up storefronts, while security forces are preparing for wide deployment aimed at preventing disorder, clashes, and property damage.
2+The concern isn’t limited to France. The Netherlands and Belgium are also on high alert, after celebrations during the current tournament deteriorated into clashes in several cities following Morocco’s victories. In Brussels, for example, hundreds took to the streets after Morocco’s last match, with incidents including political chants and public disorder.
The tension surrounding the match is rooted in past events. After the 2022 World Cup semifinal, in which France beat Morocco, riots broke out across the country. In one incident, a 14-year-old boy was killed in the city of Montpellier, and that night thousands of police were deployed across France in an attempt to control the unrest.
2+This time, authorities aren’t taking chances. According to French reports, thousands of police will secure key flashpoints, movement will be restricted in various areas, and some metro stations will be closed during evening and nighttime hours. Meanwhile, local media have reported a rise in hate speech on social media ahead of the match, alongside concerns about far-right groups organizing, which could heighten tensions in the streets.