Video: Morocco World Cup win triggers unrest in The Hague, Rotterdam; 29 arrested
Celebrations following Morocco's 3-0 World Cup victory over Canada were largely peaceful across much of the Netherlands, though unrest broke out in The Hague, Rotterdam, and Leiden Saturday night. Riot police were deployed in multiple cities. Authorities also used water cannons in The Hague. Two police officers and a traffic controller were injured in The Hague, where police arrested 29 people. Amsterdam celebrations ended without major incidents.
Morocco’s win secured a place in the World Cup quarterfinals. Fans across the country celebrated by driving through streets, waving Moroccan flags, honking horns and setting off fireworks. Authorities closed streets as a precaution in several cities, including the Schilderswijk district in The Hague, Plein '40-'45 in Amsterdam, and parts of central Rotterdam.
In The Hague, supporters initially gathered around Vaillantlaan and Hoefkade. Police remained in close contact with fans alongside community fathers and youth workers. At about 10:20 p.m., the situation escalated. People began throwing glass, eggs, stones, flares and fireworks at police. Two officers were injured after heavy fireworks were directed at them. A traffic controller was also injured.
The Hague mayor issued an emergency order barring anyone "who in any way manifests themselves as persons wanting to contribute to disturbances of public order" from remaining in the area. After authorization, riot police moved in. Authorities used water cannons to clear Vaillantlaan. Calm returned shortly after midnight, and the roadway was reopened.Police arrested 29 people in The Hague on suspicion of insulting officers, disorderly conduct, and failing to comply with police orders.
Police said violence against officers and other emergency workers is unacceptable. They said reports are always taken, suspects are prioritized for prosecution and prosecutors generally seek sentences three times higher in such cases.
In Rotterdam, streets in the city center were closed as a precaution. Riot police initially patrolled around Schouwburgplein. Shortly before 11 p.m., officers intervened near West-Kruiskade and 1e Middellandstraat after ordering crowds to leave. Witnesses reported that heavy fireworks, glass, and eggs were thrown at officers. Police also seized a Molotov cocktail. Elsewhere, a group blocked an emergency route required for emergency services. The operation was scaled back after midnight as calm returned.
In Leiden, officers were pelted with glass and stones before police charged to disperse groups.
Amsterdam also saw large celebrations. Hundreds of supporters gathered near Burgemeester de Vlugtlaan shortly after the final whistle. The celebrations later moved into surrounding streets, where cars filled with fans lined the roads. Streets around Plein '40-'45 were temporarily closed. Scooters and motorcycles revved their engines, and tram service was suspended. Celebrations also took place on Tussen Meer in Osdorp and in the Indische Buurt. By about midnight, traffic resumed and the crowds dispersed.
An Amsterdam police spokesperson said traffic congestion had been expected and traffic controllers were deployed in advance. "Apart from a few incidents involving fireworks, the atmosphere is good," the spokesperson said earlier in the evening.
