The Hague deployed riot police and water cannons on Tuesday after Morocco eliminated the Netherlands from the 2026 World Cup in a Round of 32 penalty shootout. Thousands of supporters gathered in the Schilderswijk district to celebrate the upset, but the situation quickly deteriorated into open violence as individuals attacked law enforcement with stones and heavy fireworks. The Netherlands holds a significant Moroccan diaspora community, which heavily amplified the scale of the local street gatherings following the match.
Dutch authorities charged the crowds to restore order across the neighborhood. Police utilized water cannons and formally arrested individuals for committing open violence against officers. The violent confrontations in Europe stood in strict contrast to the unrestrained, peaceful celebrations in Casablanca, according to AP News. Thousands of fans poured onto the main Moroccan boulevards into the dawn hours, waving flags and chanting “Canada, we’re coming for you.”
The victory advances the North African team to the Round of 16. Following the shootout, Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi addressed critics directly. He stated the triumph over the Dutch squad proves their historic run to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals in Qatar was not a fluke. The team now prepares to face Canada in the next stage of the tournament.