Moroccan Fans Riot in Dutch Cities After Morocco Eliminates Netherlands from World Cup

Following Morocco's victory over the Netherlands in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, thousands of Moroccan immigrants and their descendants took to the streets of major Dutch cities including Amsterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague to celebrate. The celebrations quickly escalated into violent clashes with police, especially in Amsterdam's Schilderswijk neighborhood, where the atmosphere turned tense and police deployed water cannons to disperse the crowds.

Reports from Dutch media described groups of young men wearing Morocco's national team shirts and helmets, some masked, throwing fireworks at officers and verbally abusing them. The police made several arrests amid the unrest. In Amsterdam's Plein '40-'45 square, hundreds of youths on scooters and electric bikes challenged the police, creating chaotic scenes and traffic jams.

Despite the disorder, police eventually regained control and the situation calmed down. In Utrecht, the mood was described as mostly celebratory with traffic congestion and honking, but no loss of control. Meanwhile, in The Hague's Schilderswijk, the police used dogs and water cannons against fans who threw glass bottles and fireworks at them.

Morocco will face Canada in the Round of 16, while the Netherlands has been eliminated from the tournament. The events highlight the complex social dynamics in the Netherlands involving immigrant communities and their reactions to international sports outcomes.