Public unrest broke out in parts of London after Morocco was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, even as Paris avoided the kind of chaos many had feared. France’s 2-0 quarterfinal win over Morocco sent supporters into the streets, but the scenes differed sharply between the two cities.
In northwest London, crowds gathered on Edgware Road and clashed with police late Thursday night. Videos and images showed smoke in the air, debris across the roadway, and officers in shields and body armor trying to contain the situation.
Police Tried to Hold Back the Crowds
Some people threw debris and launched fireworks as the unrest intensified, and one video appeared to show an officer on the ground. It was not clear how the officer was injured or what condition he was in afterward.
Fans also waved Moroccan flags in the middle of the street, blocking traffic and, in some cases, climbing onto vehicles that tried to move through the area. The street scenes came after Morocco’s exit ended the country’s World Cup run for the second straight tournament.
| Location | What Happened | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| London | Clashes broke out after Morocco’s elimination | Police faced smoke, fireworks, debris, and blocked traffic on Edgware Road |
| Paris | Supporters filled the streets after France’s win | Fans of both teams slowed traffic, but the mood was celebratory |
Fox News reported that many had expected Paris to erupt, especially after the unrest that followed Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League victory over Arsenal in May. Instead, supporters of both France and Morocco gathered along the Champs-Élysées with horns blaring and flags out of car windows.
France’s Kylian Mbappé scored his eighth goal of the tournament, matching Lionel Messi for the most goals in the World Cup, and Ousmane Dembélé added another in the second half. The result sent France into its third straight semifinal.
Morocco Still Made History Despite the Loss
Morocco’s exit also ended the last African run in the tournament, but the team still added to its World Cup legacy. After becoming the first African country to reach the quarterfinals and semifinals in 2022, Morocco became the first African nation to reach more than one quarterfinal.
The result set up France for a semifinal meeting with the winner of Spain and Belgium. England and Norway, along with Argentina and Switzerland, were also due to meet in the quarterfinals.
