Riots broke out in France after defeat at the 2026 World Cup

Tengrinews.kz — France's defeat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals has triggered a wave of mass riots and street clashes in major cities across the country, including Paris. Fans' disappointment rapidly escalated into looting, arson, and violent confrontations with law enforcement.
World Cup hopes crushed
The match, held at a stadium in Texas, ended in a decisive victory for Spain. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal (a 22nd-minute penalty) and Pedro Porro (58th minute) denied the French a chance to compete for the title in what would have been their third consecutive World Cup final.
According to the Times of India, the wave of discontent swept through both the stadium and French streets immediately following the final whistle. Fans leveled harsh criticism at head coach Didier Deschamps for a lack of offensive cohesion, as well as at team captain Kylian Mbappé for a lackluster performance.
Police clashes and looting
According to the business portal LiveMint, spontaneous riots erupted instantly in many French cities. Enraged groups of fans began destroying urban infrastructure, setting fire to parked cars and trash bins.
Police deployed specialized equipment and tear gas to disperse aggressive crowds on the Champs-Élysées and at other key locations in Paris. Footage of burning streets and skirmishes between gendarmes and protesters quickly spread across social media.

Experts note that street unrest following major football battles has become a troubling trend for France. Similar large-scale riots occurred in May 2026 after PSG's Champions League victory—resulting in over 200 injuries and nearly 900 arrests—and again following France's quarter-final win over Morocco in the current tournament.