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The World Cup match French police have been dreading: Cops prepare for chaos as France take on Morocco, with violence expected – especially if the North Africans pull off a shock victory

Daily Mail ·

France France 2
FIFA WC26 2-0 Finished
Morocco Morocco 0
Squads
France squad
  • Full squad
  • 1 Brice SAMBA Goalkeeper
  • 2 Malo GUSTO Defender
  • 3 Lucas Digne Defender
  • 4 Dayot UPAMECANO Defender
  • 5 Jules KOUNDE Defender
  • 6 Manu KONE Midfielder
  • 7 Ousmane DEMBELE Forward
  • 8 Aurelien TCHOUAMENI Midfielder
  • 9 Marcus THURAM Forward
  • 10 Kylian MBAPPE Forward
  • 11 Michael OLISE Forward
  • 12 Bradley BARCOLA Forward
  • 13 Ngolo KANTE Midfielder
  • 14 Adrien RABIOT Midfielder
  • 15 Ibrahima KONATE Defender
  • 16 Mike MAIGNAN Goalkeeper
  • 17 William SALIBA Defender
  • 18 Warren ZAIRE-EMERY Midfielder
  • 19 Theo HERNANDEZ Defender
  • 20 Desire DOUE Forward
  • 21 Lucas HERNANDEZ Defender
  • 22 Jean-Philippe MATETA Forward
  • 23 Robin RISSER Goalkeeper
  • 24 Rayan CHERKI Midfielder
  • 25 Maghnes AKLIOUCHE Midfielder
  • 26 Maxence Lacroix Defender
Morocco squad
  • Full squad
  • 1 Yassine BOUNOU Goalkeeper
  • 2 Achraf HAKIMI Defender
  • 3 Noussair MAZRAOUI Defender
  • 4 Sofyan AMRABAT Midfielder
  • 5 Marwane SAADANE Defender
  • 6 Ayyoub BOUADDI Midfielder
  • 7 Chemsdine TALBI Midfielder
  • 8 Azzedine OUNAHI Midfielder
  • 9 Soufiane RAHIMI Forward
  • 10 Brahim DIAZ Forward
  • 11 Ismael SAIBARI Midfielder
  • 12 Munir EL KAJOUI Goalkeeper
  • 13 Zakaria EL OUAHDI Defender
  • 14 Issa Diop Defender
  • 15 Samir EL MOURABET Midfielder
  • 16 Gessime YASSINE Midfielder
  • 17 Amine SBAI Forward
  • 18 Chadi RIAD Defender
  • 19 Youssef BELAMMARI Defender
  • 20 Ayoub El Kaabi Forward
  • 21 Ayoube AMAIMOUNI Forward
  • 22 Ahmed Reda TAGNAOUTI Goalkeeper
  • 23 Bilal EL KHANNOUSS Midfielder
  • 24 Neil EL AYNAOUI Midfielder
  • 25 Redouane HALHAL Defender
  • 26 Anass SALAH EDDINE Defender

French police are preparing for possible public disorder around a World Cup quarter-final between France and Morocco, which security chiefs fear could spill over into street violence. A confidential intelligence report warns of a heightened risk of unrest, and authorities are treating the fixture as a particularly sensitive one — a reflection of how major football matches in France have repeatedly triggered trouble.

Officials are especially concerned that a shock Moroccan win could spark celebrations that turn into clashes with police, given the symbolic weight of reaching the semi-finals. Security forces are due to be deployed nationwide for the 10pm kick-off, with crowds expected in city centres regardless of the result and fireworks likely despite the late hour. The report, seen by Le Parisien, follows unrest after PSG's Champions League final win over Arsenal on 30 May, when more than 280 people were arrested in Paris. France, home to many people of Moroccan descent, has urged fans to celebrate responsibly.

  • French police brace for unrest around France v Morocco World Cup quarter-final.
  • A Moroccan win is seen as the most sensitive scenario for disorder.
  • Nationwide security planned; over 280 arrested after May's PSG final.

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