Argentina and Algeria Fans Clash in Times Square Ahead of World Cup Match

A violent brawl broke out overnight in Times Square, New York, between dozens of Algerian and Argentine football fans, just hours before the two national teams were due to meet in the World Cup. The match was scheduled for 4:00 a.m. and, according to the report, would be played in Kansas, about 1,800 kilometers from New York.

What began as verbal taunts and mutual chanting, with fans waving the two countries’ flags, quickly escalated into a physical fight. Social media videos and early reports showed punches, chairs, bottles, and other objects being thrown as shocked tourists and passersby watched in the crowded square.

Witness John described the scene as chaos, saying, “We heard songs and shouting, and suddenly everything turned into complete chaos.” He added that people ran in all directions to take cover, and that fans in Argentina’s light blue and white shirts and others holding Algerian flags were fighting in the middle of the street, making it look like a battlefield rather than a football atmosphere.

Large New York Police Department forces already deployed in the area were rushed in to separate the groups. Officers used force to disperse the violent gathering, and several people were arrested for questioning.