Moroccan Supporters Rally After World Cup Quarter-Finals Defeat
On the night of July 10, 2026, thousands of Moroccan fans expressed their disappointment in various Dutch cities following their team's 2-0 loss to France, which resulted in their elimination from the World Cup quarter-finals. The atmosphere, although largely somber, featured displays of team spirit as supporters gathered in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht, igniting fireworks and driving through the streets honking their horns. However, as the police intervened to ensure public safety, many fans chose to return home, heeding the officers' requests to disperse from the streets.
The Amsterdam police reported that the ambiance during the match was festive and friendly, although the post-match mood shifted to one of disappointment. Rotterdam police echoed this sentiment, noting that the overall atmosphere in the city remained relatively calm despite the outcome. Despite the peaceful celebrations, riot police were deployed in several locations across the major cities to manage the crowds and clear certain areas. In Amsterdam's Nieuw-West district, small groups lingered, igniting fires and launching fireworks at officers, while in Rotterdam, riot police were active in dispersing crowds along 1e Middellandstraat during the early hours of the morning, resulting in several arrests.
Three Matches, Three Different Outcomes
This event marked the third occasion in just ten days that Moroccan matches had prompted large gatherings and police intervention, with this particular night being the most subdued of the trio. The earlier victory against the Netherlands on June 30 had incited jubilant celebrations, albeit with a few arrests, while the subsequent 3-0 win against Canada last weekend led to more significant disturbances in The Hague, where 29 individuals were arrested and riot police employed water cannons to restore order. Morocco, the reigning champions of Africa, had aspirations of reaching the World Cup semi-finals for the second consecutive tournament. Following their recent victory, France will advance to face the winner of the quarter-final match between Spain and Belgium.
As reported by dutchnews.nl.
