Morocco fans celebrate as the departure of the Dutch World Cup leads to clashes in The Hague

Football fans clashed with police in The Hague and celebrated into the early hours in Casablanca after Morocco knocked the Netherlands out of the World Cup on penalties on Monday.

The Netherlands, home to a large Moroccan community, witnessed jubilant scenes after the Atlas Lions victory, although celebrations turned violent in some areas.

According to the police in The Hague, «heavy fireworks were set off» in the Schilderswijk district, during which officers were pelted with fireworks and stones. Riot police attacked the crowd and used water cannon to disperse the gathering.

“A number of people have been arrested for committing public violence,” police said.

In Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city, the tense silence in a coffee shop full of supporters gave way to a deafening roar as Ismael Saibari converted the decisive penalty to send the Atlas Lions to the round of 16.

The celebration quickly spread into the streets, with flares and fireworks lighting up the night sky as horns sounded and engines revved.

Despite the late finish and the workday ahead, dozens of jubilant supporters gathered on a main boulevard in Casablanca around 5 a.m. local time, dancing, waving Moroccan flags and chanting, “Canada, we’re coming for you.”

Morocco will face co-host Canada in the eighth finals on Saturday. The Atlas Lions defeated Canada 2-1 in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.

Expectations are high across Morocco as supporters dream of another historic run, four years after the Atlas Lions became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final.

Published on June 30, 2026