Morocco Fans Clash with Police After World Cup Victory Over Netherlands

Huge crowds of Morocco football fans clashed with Dutch police overnight as they celebrated their team's World Cup victory over the Netherlands. Morocco won the Round of 32 match that took place in Mexico on June 29, 2026, by defeating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Following the match, Moroccan fans poured into cities across the Netherlands, leading to several arrests.

Celebrations initially started off peacefully in The Hague, where supporters danced and waved flags in the streets. However, the atmosphere became tense as hundreds gathered at a crossroads, passionately celebrating their team's victory and sometimes jumping on cars. Approximately an hour into the festivities, riot police arrived, prompting a shift in the mood.

According to Dutch police, their officers faced fireworks and stones thrown by the crowd, which led to the deployment of a water cannon to disperse the assembly on Vaillantlaan, a main road in the Schilderswijk district. Police reported using batons, pinning several young men to the ground before transporting them in police vans. During this skirmish, at least ten people were arrested.

Meanwhile, in Rotterdam, four additional arrests were made for breach of the peace and assault after fans gathered on West-Kruiskade at around 7:30 a.m. local time. Local media indicated that a flower pot was thrown at officers, although this was not linked to the previous arrests.

The Moroccan community in the Netherlands numbers about 420,000, making them the second-largest immigrant population in the country. In preparation for the celebrations, police increased their presence in major cities and were given broader authority to detain those engaging in unruly behavior. Despite some confrontations, there was no major damage reported, and the police maintained a strong presence to handle the situation.