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Public unrest began in parts of London on Thursday evening, and it appears that Morocco’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the hands of France is the reason.
France beat Morocco 2-0, forcing the African country’s elimination for the second consecutive tournament, this time in the quarterfinals.
As a result, many feared that Paris would erupt into riots, especially after the chaos that followed Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League victory over Arsenal in May. Instead, images and videos from Edgware Road, northwest London, showed clashes between police and large crowds as smoke billowed into the streets and debris littered the roadway.
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A police vehicle stands on the road as members of pro-Palestinian activist groups gather near the Edgware United Synagogue, during a protest against the “Great Israeli Real Estate Event” organized by the “My Home in Israel” real estate agency, which markets real estate in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, in London, Britain, June 14, 2026. (Toby Shepheard)
Riot police, equipped with shields and body armor, were seen trying to contain the crowds as they clashed with people throwing fireworks and throwing debris. Video also appears to show an officer on the ground.
KYLIAN MBAPPÉ AND OUSMANE DEMBÉLÉ TAKE FRANCE INTO WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS WITH VICTORY AGAINST MOROCCO
We do not know what happened to the police officer seen on the asphalt, nor how his injury occurred.
Supporters were seen waving Moroccan flags in the middle of the streets, blocking traffic. Some were even seen jumping on vehicles trying to cross the area.
Moroccan fans in the stands before the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between France and Morocco at Boston Stadium on July 9, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Richard Sellers/SportsphotoAllstar)
Similar scenes played out after Egypt’s elimination from the World Cup, when Argentina rallied to a controversial 3-2 victory that resulted in several controversial decisions by referees.
Paris, on the other hand, seemed more like a city celebrating than a city on the verge of riot. Supporters of France and Morocco invaded the streets, slowing traffic in several areas of the city.
A video showed horns honking from cars displaying flags of France and Morocco in windows on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris. Roadside fans, boasting their own flags, joined in the celebration.
Frenchman Kylian Mbappé scored his eighth goal in this World Cup, which brings him closest to Argentina’s Lionel Messi. Ousmane Dembélé also scored in the second half for France in the 2-0 win over Morocco.
This is the third consecutive semi-final appearance for France, while Morocco still made World Cup history despite their defeat. After becoming the first African country to reach the quarter-finals and semi-finals in World Cup history in 2022, they only added to that by becoming the first African nation to reach more than one quarter-final.
Moroccan fans react as they attend a watch party for the World Cup round of 16 match between France and Morocco in Boston, Massachusetts, July 9, 2026. (JOSEPH PREZIOSO / AFP)
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Morocco’s exit means there are no African nations left in the World Cup. France will face the winners of Spain and Belgium, while England-Norway and Argentina-Switzerland will also play in the quarter-finals.
