World Cup backdrop: Clashes between Moroccans and Algerians in French streets/From social networks

The success of Morocco in the 2026 World Cup has become in recent days not only a sporting story, but also a new arena of tension between Moroccans and Algerians around the world. In less than a week, several incidents and reports have accumulated - in Boston, in France and on social networks - that have resurfaced the political and identity rivalry between the two countries.

One of the main incidents occurred a few days ago in Boston. According to reports in Algeria and international media, Wassim Karkouch, a 14-year-old with Algerian-American citizenship, arrived at the fan zone wearing an Algeria national team shirt when, according to him, a Morocco supporter attacked him. During a brawl at the scene he was injured and lost consciousness.

In Algeria the incident quickly gained national dimensions and reached the highest levels. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune publicly addressed the case and said that Algerian authorities are following Wassim's condition and the legal proceedings. He added that Algeria will continue to monitor the case with the authorities in the United States.

However, there are significant discrepancies surrounding the incident between the versions. Algerian media reported an attack by dozens of Moroccan fans and the identification of suspects, but Massachusetts police did not confirm the claims of 35 Moroccan attackers. A notable gap was also recorded between reports on the severity of his injury.

World Cup backdrop: Clashes between Moroccans and Algerians in French streets/Screenshot, from social networks

At the same time, in the last two days the streets in several locations in France have been simmering. Accounts with tens of thousands of followers on social networks posted videos from the city of Aubervilliers on the outskirts of Paris, in which Algerian immigrants can be seen and heard shouting anti-Moroccan slogans, cursing women of Moroccan origin and burning a Moroccan flag.

Aubervilliers is considered a central hub for the Maghrebi community in France and senior figures in the community have publicly called for mutual respect and against division, but reports have already appeared on social networks of retaliatory actions: young people from families of Moroccan origin who took to the streets with the aim of harming Algerians.

In France they say that unsurprisingly, most incidents begin with TikTok videos and stories in which fans on one side humiliate the symbols of the other side. The videos spread quickly, ignite anger, and lead to calls for "revenge" and violent encounters between groups of youths in neighborhoods.

Alors que des supporters marocains ?? fêtaient pacifiquement la victoire de leur pays à Paris, des algériens ?? venus les provoquer ont volé un drapeau marocain pour le brûler et le jeter par terre. Le régime algérien travaille depuis des mois pour importer le conflit… pic.twitter.com/JR0WFEkxTu

There is no great love between Morocco and Algeria. The rivalry between the two countries, which has lasted for decades against the background of political conflicts, territorial disputes and the struggle over the issue of Western Sahara, has long exceeded the bounds of diplomacy. It also permeates the streets, immigrant communities in Europe and North America, and of course the stands. Every time one team records a significant achievement or plays on the biggest stage, the tension between the camps resurfaces, sometimes in the form of jabs on social networks, and sometimes also in violent clashes.

Even before the start of the tournament, the authorities in France defined the matches of Algeria and Morocco as ones requiring special security arrangements, for fear of clashes and public order disturbances. In recent days, as mentioned, social networks have been filled with documentation, claims and videos from both sides, with each incident quickly also gaining national and political dimensions.

Tensions between Morocco and Algeria after a video goes viral of a dozen Morocco supporters beating the 14-year-old Algerian-American bot Wassim unconscious at a fan zone in Boston during a Morocco game.
Algeria's president has now made a statement about the attack.
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????#FLASH| Scène surréaliste : en panique, les clandestins et trafiquants de cigarettes Algériens ?? d'Aubervilliers supplient dorénavant la Police française ?? de les protéger !
Ils avaient la veille, harcelé et insulté plusieurs FEMMES et ENFANTS en plus d'avoir VOLÉ et BRÛLÉ… https://t.co/4PEuGFZhsT pic.twitter.com/DLv2ZRhUuZ